Study: Wikipedia As Reliable As Britannica

The latest debate about the credibility of Wikipedia is put into perspective by a study conducted by the scientific journal Nature.

Nature has had scientists investigate Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica's coverage of science and surprisingly the exercise revealed that among 42 entries tested, the difference in accuracy was not particularly great. The average science entry in Wikipedia had around four inaccuracies; Britannica, about three.

Encyclopedia Britannica is commonly seen as the credible voice of science whilst Wikipedia is often talked of as the less reliable source written by lay persons.

"Yet, Nature's investigation suggests that Britannica's advantage may not be great, at least when it comes to science entries," writes the journal.

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