Has Anyone Found Wikipedia To Be Bias On Certain Topics?

@leavert65 (1018)
Puerto Rico
April 28, 2007 8:00pm CST
For the most part, I really like Wikipedia. However, it's really bias when it comes to controversial topics such as the origin of life.
3 people like this
5 responses
@oldiebut (859)
• Canada
29 Apr 07
I think it's fair to say that you cannot rely too much on Wikipedia. Even the owner has admitted the abuse has been very high and that he is seeking to start an entirely new version. Certainly no university class would ever let you cite it as an authority. As authorities, I stick to educational (such as Harvard's Avalon project, an absolute must for German history students) and verifiable (I can trace everything they claim and who is claiming it) websites. Overall I prefer the printed word, they are still accountable for what they says in most decent journals.
@leavert65 (1018)
• Puerto Rico
29 Apr 07
That's interesting that you say no university class would allow someone to cite it as an authority. I'm finishing my Masters now but I can't even recall if I ever cited from Wiki for anything or not. I would imagine though that it's allowed in high school.
@oldiebut (859)
• Canada
29 Apr 07
High schools may allow it, but then they would allow virtually anything. I have little regard for high school education. At the university level it is possible that certain fields might use it, if they have low enough standards. Sociology springs to mind. I am working part-time on a Masters in history and you would fail on any paper that used Wiki, or any non-educational website. But then you are not allowed to use any encyclopedia even in the first year courses. At my level, direct documentary evidence is preferred. After that they like so see journal references as secondary sources. But then History is often compared to the sciences more often than it is compared to the arts, out evidennce requirements are higher than say psychology or sociology. But if you are taking a Masters then you have access to a university library, who would need Wikipedia under those circumstances?
@naty1941 (2336)
• United States
19 May 07
I like Wikipedia but some of the information I have read is not correct on some subjects. However, as a preliminary research tool it serves its purpose.
@leavert65 (1018)
• Puerto Rico
23 May 07
I agree
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
16 Apr 08
Yah, when I heard the articles could be revised by anyone, I started taking them with a grain of salt..
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
17 Jun 07
I don't agree with you about Wikipedia. I was on a forum that was connected with Wikipedia and every one was invited to write articles for it. There were no qualifacations. Just be able to write well. since then I don't rely on them formuch of any thing.
• United States
16 Apr 08
The problem with wiki is that anyone can write on it. I have read blatantly wrong information on there that I tried to correct, and the site did not believe that I was telling the truth. This site should be strongly cautioned!