A study by researchers at MIT and the University of Pittsburgh in the United States revealed that Wikipedia is a recurring source of scientific research, benefiting the community. Still, according to the author of the study, the platform has also been helping to shape science.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Photo: Canaltech
The aim of the study was to determine if a site that offers free information in a collaborative way, as is the case of Wikipedia, could beneficially influence scientific studies. Neil C. Thompson, an MIT professor, said the study "demonstrates that scientists are using Wikipedia, and that this is influencing how they write about the science they are doing." For him, Wikipedia "is not only a record of what is happening in science, but is helping to shape it."
To draw their conclusions, the team observed a large number of scholarly articles, dividing them into two parts. While one of them was published on Wikipedia, the others were left out. After a while, the researchers found that those works influenced later articles. But the research was done "in the race," since most students do not cite Wikipedia as a research source. Universities, including MIT itself, advise their students not to use Wikipedia as a trusted source as a scientific reference, but rather for general knowledge.
Still, the study shows how it is possible to make scientific information accessible through an open platform, such as Wikipedia. This is because most scientific articles are copyrighted and are often published in specialized journals, which charge fees for access. There are scientists who are against this practice, believing that knowledge should be released to all, not being restricted to academic circles. Therefore, the MIT study may open doors for scientific knowledge to become more accessible, favoring students of the area.