Does using Wikipedia bother anyone else?

Question

It really bugs me when people base their answers on here and in real life on Wikipedia. I mean, half the time it's not even right... ANYONE, including myself, could go and write something bogus and think it's funny, and then someone else

who is serious and using the website for a project will get the wrong information.

It makes me feel like answers are less accurate and reliable...

Does getting an answer for your question based off wikipedia bother anyone else?

Answer 1

Initially, I agreed with your point of view. However, lately, its been pretty accurate. You have to remember the tools wiki has to mark content as inaccurate. What reference material (encyclopedia) gives you such ability? You have to simply assume it is correct because it has 'Encyclopedia' written on it. So there is some consideration of your willingness to trust a source without scrutiny. In effect, Wiki can be more accurate because the power is there to correct. Cant say that about other resources.

Answer 2

Some sites are locked because of "vandalism", such as the one for Barack Obama which cannot be edited.  Most of the information I have found on Wikipedia seems pretty good.   They post warnings if something isn't referenced right or makes unsupported statements.  If you misbehave then they lock you out of the editing process.  

For example I have found the information on medical topics is good if sometimes poorly written.  I expect I could revise it so it reads better.  I think your mistrust of Wikipedia is unfounded.    It is an amazing source of information and I haven't had much reason to doubt it for most subjects.  I mean, what is the alternative?  There aren't that many web sites out there that give detailed information on many subjects.  Wikipedia is unique.

Answer 3

You say it's not right 'half the time.'  Please provide an example.

Answer 4

No, it doesn't bother me.  If you're not bright enough to take Wikipedia for what it is- a jumping off point for research, then you deserve the consequences.  No one who is serious uses Wikipedia as a last-stop for research.

P.S.- If you use this website for research, then you deserve what you get as well.

Answer 5

I would never use Wikipedia as a reference for a paper, but for the most part it is monitored well enough that people can't edit it with obviously false information. In many cases if you put in something that isn't true, they will change it back rather quickly, and send you an irate message to boot.

In all it is good for giving brief information on a subject if you're answering a question on here, or in real life.

Answer 6

I don't usually take Wikipedia seriously, because at the local university, it isn't accepted as a reference when writing a formal paper.

Answer 7

NO IT DOES NOT BOTHER ME THAT IS A GOOD SOURCE TO DO SOME OF THE RESERCH IS A START OFF POINT NOT ALL THE TIME ITS BOGUS UR THE BOGUS

Answer 8

Wikipedia is what it is....a congomeration of input from all types of people.  It never has been the definitive answer or answers to anything.  It's mostly wrong.  Use it for a quick check but don't define it as gospel.  It just doesn't fit that profile.  And don't get angry that something as useless as Wikepedia is not validated.  It never was and it never will be.

Answer 9

I don't know where you get your 'half the time' logic from.

Everytime I have used wikipedia (to answera question here, to look up a random fact, start off point for research) I have always found the information reliable.

And I make sure to second the info on Wikipedia that I have found, with information on other sites.

Wikipedia might have been horrible to begin with but with the amount of people constantly monitoring idiotic attempts at false information, wikipedia is becoming a great source.

Even if I'd never cite it in a research paper.