An empirical examination of Wikipedia's credibility

First Monday ◽  
2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Chesney
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
General Public ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Personal Knowledge ◽  
Research Staff ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Destructive Methods

Wikipedia is an free, online encyclopaedia which anyone can add content to or edit the existing content of. The idea behind Wikipedia is that members of the general public can add their own personal knowledge, anonymously if they wish. Wikipedia then evolves over time into a comprehensive knowledge base on all things. Its popularity has never been questioned, although its authority has. By its own admission, Wikipedia contains errors. A number of people have tested Wikipedia’s accuracy using destructive methods, i.e. deliberately inserting errors. This has been criticised by Wikipedia. This short study examines Wikipedia’s credibility by asking 258 research staff with a response rate of 21 percent, to read an article and assess its credibility, the credibility of its author and the credibility of Wikipedia as a whole. Staff were either given an article in their own expert domain or a random article. No difference was found between the two group in terms of their perceived credibility of Wikipedia or of the articles’ authors, but a difference was found in the credibility of the articles — the experts found Wikipedia’s articles to be more credible than the non–experts. This suggests that the accuracy of Wikipedia is high. However, the results should not be seen as support for Wikipedia as a totally reliable resource as, according to the experts, 13 percent of the articles contain mistakes.

scholarly journals During Vigilance to Painful Stimuli: Slower Response Rate Related to High Trait Anxiety, whereas a Faster Response Rate is related to High State Anxiety

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J Meeker ◽  
Nichole M. Emerson ◽  
Jui-Hong Chien ◽  
Mark I. Saffer ◽  
Oscar Joseph Bienvenu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Bias ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Time On Task ◽  
Lower Response Rate ◽  
State And Trait Anxiety ◽  
High Trait ◽  
High Trait Anxiety ◽  
Over Time

A pathological increase in vigilance, or hypervigilance, may be related to pain intensity in some clinical pain syndromes and may result from attention bias to salient stimuli mediated by anxiety. During a continuous performance task where subjects discriminated painful target stimuli from painful nontargets, we measured detected targets (hits), nondetected targets (misses), nondetected nontargets (correct rejections), and detected nontargets (false alarms). Using signal detection theory, we calculated response bias, the tendency to endorse a stimulus as a target, and discriminability, the ability to discriminate a target from nontarget. Due to the relatively slow rate of stimulus presentation our primary hypothesis was that sustained performance would result in a more conservative response bias reflecting a lower response rate over time on task. We found a more conservative response bias with time on task and no change in discriminability. We predicted that greater state and trait anxiety would lead to a more liberal response bias. A multivariable model provided partial support for our prediction; high trait anxiety related to a more conservative response bias (lower response rate), while high state anxiety related to a more liberal bias. This inverse relationship of state and trait anxiety is consistent with reports of effects of state and trait anxiety on reaction times to threatening stimuli. In sum, we report that sustained attention to painful stimuli was associated with a decrease in the tendency of the subject to respond to any stimulus over time on task, while the ability to discriminate target from nontarget is unchanged.

scholarly journals MIKB: A Manually Curated and Comprehensive Knowledge Base for Myocardial Infarction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoying Zhan ◽  
Yingbo Zhang ◽  
Xingyun Liu ◽  
Rongrong Wu ◽  
Ke Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge

scholarly journals CitrusKB: a comprehensive knowledge base for transcriptome and interactome of Citrus spp. infected by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri at different infection stages

Database ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Ferrasa ◽  
Mayara M Murata ◽  
Teresa D C G Cofre ◽  
Juliana S Cavallini ◽  
Gustavo Peron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Citrus Canker ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Xanthomonas Citri ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Serious Disease ◽  
Canker Development ◽  
User Friendly

Abstract Citrus canker type A is a serious disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X. citri), which is responsible for severe losses to growers and to the citrus industry worldwide. To date, no canker-resistant citrus genotypes are available, and there is limited information regarding the molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in the early stages of the citrus canker development. Here, we present the CitrusKB knowledge base. This is the first in vivo interactome database for different citrus cultivars, and it was produced to provide a valuable resource of information on citrus and their interaction with the citrus canker bacterium X. citri. CitrusKB provides tools for a user-friendly web interface to let users search and analyse a large amount of information regarding eight citrus cultivars with distinct levels of susceptibility to the disease, with controls and infected plants at different stages of infection by the citrus canker bacterium X. citri. Currently, CitrusKB comprises a reference citrus genome and its transcriptome, expressed transcripts, pseudogenes and predicted genomic variations (SNPs and SSRs). The updating process will continue over time by the incorporation of novel annotations and analysis tools. We expect that CitrusKB may substantially contribute to the field of citrus genomics. CitrusKB is accessible at http://bioinfo.deinfo.uepg.br/citrus. Users can download all the generated raw sequences and generated datasets by this study from the CitrusKB website.

Definitional, Parametric, and Procedural Considerations in Timeout Interventions and Research

1984 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen R. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conceptual Basis ◽  
Exceptional Students ◽  
Contextual Variables ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge

This article reviews definitional, parametric, and procedural issues which must be considered to optimize the effectiveness of timeout, an intervention frequently used with exceptional students. The conceptual basis of timeout is explained as a meaningful discrepancy between the timein and timeout environments, and five general types of timeout are delineated: (a) isolation timeout, (b) exclusion timeout, (c) contingent observation, (d) removal of reinforcing stimulus conditions, and (e) ignoring the student. The results of parametric and comparative investigations involving these five types of timeout are reviewed. However, a comprehensive knowledge base concerning timeout has yet to be established. Thus, directions for future research and the need for systematic studies are noted. Procedural considerations, including preconditions, contextual variables, concurrent interventions, and evaluation of timeout, are then discussed.

Stability of Parental Understanding of Random Assignment in Childhood Leukemia Trials: An Empirical Examination of Informed Consent

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 891-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Neff Greenley ◽  
Dennis Drotar ◽  
Stephen J. Zyzanski ◽  
Eric Kodish
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Random Assignment ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Pediatric Leukemia ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Over Time

Purpose To examine stability versus change in parental understanding of random assignment in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for pediatric leukemia and to identify factors associated with changes in understanding. Methods Eighty-four parents of children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia who were enrolled onto a pediatric leukemia RCT at one of six US children's hospitals participated. Parents were interviewed twice, once within 48 hours after the Informed Consent Conference (ICC; time 1 [T1]) and again 6 months later (time 2 [T2]). Interviews focused on parental understanding of key components of the RCT, including random assignment. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and later analyzed. Results Changes in understanding of random assignment occurred in 19% of parents, with 17% of parents deteriorating in understanding from T1 to T2. Forty-nine percent of parents failed to understand random assignment at both times. Factors associated with understanding at both times included majority ethnicity, high socioeconomic status, parental reading of consent document, and presence of a nurse during the ICC. Physician discussion of specific components of the RCT was also associated with understanding at both times. Female caregivers and parents of low socioeconomic status were overrepresented among those who showed decay in understanding from T1 to T2. Conclusion Parents showed little gain in understanding over time. Factors that predicted understanding at diagnosis as well as sustained understanding over time may be important intervention targets. Attention to both modifiable and nonmodifiable barriers is important for clinical practice.

Unsolicited Patient Complaints among Otolaryngologists

2019 ◽  
Vol 160 (5) ◽  
pp. 810-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley M. Nassiri ◽  
James W. Pichert ◽  
Henry J. Domenico ◽  
Mitchell B. Galloway ◽  
William O. Cooper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Medical Practices ◽  
Patient Complaints ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Comparative Feedback ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Objectives To analyze unsolicited patient complaints (UPCs) among otolaryngologists, identify risk factors for UPCs, and determine the impact of physician feedback on subsequent UPCs. Methods This retrospective study reviewed UPCs associated with US otolaryngologists from 140 medical practices from 2014 to 2017. A subset of otolaryngologists with high UPCs received peer-comparative feedback and was monitored for changes. Results The study included 29,778 physicians, of whom 548 were otolaryngologists. UPCs described concerns with treatment (45%), communication (19%), accessibility (18%), concern for patients and families (10%), and billing (8%). Twenty-nine (5.3%) otolaryngologists were associated with 848 of 3659 (23.2%) total UPCs. Male sex and graduation from a US medical school were statistically significantly associated with an increased number of UPCs ( P = .0070 and P = .0036, respectively). Twenty-nine otolaryngologists with UPCs at or above the 95th percentile received peer-comparative feedback. The intervention led to an overall decrease in the number of UPCs following intervention ( P = .049). Twenty otolaryngologists (69%) categorized as “responders” reduced the number of complaints an average of 45% in the first 2 years following intervention. Discussion Physician demographic data can be used to identify otolaryngologists with a greater number of UPCs. Most commonly, UPCs expressed concern regarding treatment. Peer-delivered, comparative feedback can be effective in reducing UPCs in high-risk otolaryngologists. Implications for Practice Systematic monitoring and respectful sharing of peer-comparative patient complaint data offers an intervention associated with UPCs and concomitant malpractice risk reduction. Collegial feedback over time increases the response rate, but a small proportion of physicians will require directive interventions.

Examining the Knowledge, Awareness, and Perceptions of Palliative Care in the General Public Over Time: A Scoping Literature Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Patel ◽  
Laura Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
General Public ◽  
The United States ◽  
Close Friend ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
The Public ◽  
Scoping Literature Review ◽  
Over Time

Background: The field of palliative care (PC) is growing as the world population ages and burden of chronic diseases increases. Thus, it is important that the general public is knowledgeable about PC and the benefits PC provides. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the public’s knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of PC and determine whether these have changed over time. Methods: A scoping literature review was conducted from 1968 to May 2019 using PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases. Results: Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria that originated from the United States, Canada, Scotland, Italy, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom, Korea, and Sweden between years 2003 and 2019. Participants were adults and mostly younger than 64 years, women, and Caucasian. The majority of studies reported the public having poor knowledge (7/9 articles) and awareness (4/6 articles) of PC over the past 16 years. Top characteristics associated with increased levels of knowledge and/or awareness of PC included women (6/8 articles), age 40+ (6/8 articles), experience with a close friend and/or relative requiring PC (4/8 articles), and working in health-care and/or PC (4/8 articles). The most common perceptions of PC were associated with patients who have terminal illnesses and end-of-life care. Participants commonly received information about PC from the media, having a close friend or relative requiring PC, and working in a health-care setting. Conclusions: The public has poor knowledge and awareness about PC and several misperceptions exist. These findings have remained constant over time despite growth in the field of PC, which highlights the strong need for focused educational interventions.

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