You don't have to be a rocket scientist to create an article about rocket science.
Anyone can create articles in Wikipedia as long as there is not one already started on the topic. If you search for a topic that is not represented in the site, Wikipedia gives you the option to start an article. You will need to register for an account in Wikipedia to create articles.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to edit the content of the rocket science article.
Most of the aritlces have an edit tag associated with them. (Pages that see a high amount of vandalism may have the edit function blocked.)
Users can edit Wikipedia two ways:
- You can log in with your Wikipedia account and edit away- all the edits will refer to your user name. Having your user name associated with the edit will allow other users to discuss with you the changes made.
- You can also edit the articles anonymously. Instead of having a user name associated with the edit, your IP address will be listed. Anonymous edits are sometimes viewed more critically since there is no real person behind the information.
Vandalism on the Web
Because anyone with a connection to the internet can change Wikipedia articles, you can't always trust the information in it. Pranksters make their marks on articles by committing vandalism such as inserting nonsense words, distasteful phrases, lewd pictures, bad facts and skewing the information. In order to combat the vandalism, there is a page on Wikipedia titled Recent Changes where Wiki-do-gooders check for signs of vandalism.
Because vandalism is a reality of Wikipedia, always double check the facts you read in the articles. Try to find outside credible sources that can back up the information.