We’ve all heard the saying, “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.” But when it comes to Wikipedia, that statement couldn’t be more true. Wikipedia is one of the most popular websites in the world, with billions of people relying on it for information every day.
However, what many people don’t realize is that Wikipedia is full of errors. In fact, a study by Nature found that up to 20% of Wikipedia articles contain factual errors. So, why is this? Let’s take a look.
by David Stone
Why Wikipedia Makes So Many Mistakes
The first reason why Wikipedia is full of mistakes is that anyone can edit it. That’s right, ANYONE. That means that anyone with an internet connection can go onto the site and make changes to articles, regardless of whether or not they are an expert on the subject.
As you can imagine, this often leads to inaccurate information being added to articles.
Another reason why Wikipedia is often inaccurate is that it relies heavily on secondary sources. In other words, rather than conducting its own research, Wikipedia relies on other sources to provide information for its articles.
And since anyone can edit those sources, there is no guarantee that the information they contain is correct.
Finally, Wikipedia articles are often biased. This is because they are written by people with their own agendas who are trying to promote their own points of view.
As a result, many Wiki pages read more like opinion pieces than factual articles.
Conclusion:
So next time you’re looking for information online, beware of Wikipedia! Remember that anyone can edit it, so the information may not be accurate.
Also, keep in mind that Wiki pages are often biased and may not present both sides of an issue evenly. When it comes to getting your facts straight, it’s always best to consult multiple sources before making any decisions.
