Wikipedia?

Question

I am curious to see who uses Wikipedia for medical research? Enough to make life decisions? 
It seems crazy to me, since anyone can put info on there. I've had it argued that there are citations on the page, but anyone can cite anything. Just because there's a name at the bottom of the page doesn't mean it's a good source.  If it's even a real source.

Answer

There was a study done a few years back comparing the information in Wikipedia to the more "legitimate" Encyclopedia Brittanica. It turned out that, across the content available in EB, Wikipedia was close to completely accurate (I forget the exact number, but it was in the upper 90s). 
   
So, while peer-reviewed sources and conversations with experts are the best for making final decisions, Wikipedia doesn't seem like a bad starting point.

Answer

I use it as a first source if the topic is something I am completely ignorant about. Then once I have a basic understanding I know what search terms to use to find proper research.
I do not general look at the sources cited in the Wikipedia page because these sources were selected by the author to back up their point. As such the selection is biased towards whatever point the author was making and I will not learn any divergent views from them.

Answer

I will use Wikipedia for general information but not as a souce I would cite.

Also, contrary to popular belief not all Wikipedia articles are editable, some, especially medical ones are protected.

Answer

My husband put a bowling alley in a list of historical places to visit in a city near us. 7 years ago. It's still there.

Answer

Wikipedia is a good starting point. When I get prescribed a new medication, I always read up on it on Wikipedia because I am not a medical professional and the language is easier for me to understand than the FDA's site. The summaries on there are a little more concise than the package insert. There are always links at the end that I check out if I have further questions after I read the summary.

Answer

I don't google my symptoms anymore. Between webmd and winipekia be diagnosed myself with everything lol

Answer

I voted no, but I also don't use any resource on the Internet to make life decisions.

Answer

Apparently you can't edit Wikipedia

Answer

I always use it as a first source. I usually look for other sources to back it up.

Answer

If you look at the wiki sources sometimes you can follow the links and get more reliable info :)

Wikipedia?

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