What do you do when you find a Hub with inaccurate content?

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   RandomCanidaeposted 9 years ago

   Leaving comments with corrections seems like the obvious answer, but I'm not finding much luck (i.e., rejected comments). It's kinda frustrating that there's content out there misleading readers, and there's little one can do to stop this.

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      Goodpalposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      There is a limit beyond which you can't change people. A sloppy writer will remain sloppy unless he wakes up. So is with content and its accuracy.
      
      I would say: focus on yourself and be happy!

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      Writer Foxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      What do you call someone who has a chronic, persistent need to point out perceived flaws in the work of others?
      
      Answer: Someone who has a chronic, persistent need to point out perceived flaws in the work of others.

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         RandomCanidaeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Others might call that building theories; depends on the context.

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      Christy Kirwanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi RandomCanidae,
      
      As many Hubbers have already suggested, we recommend contacting the Hub's owner privately by email. The person may not realize she has made an error. Most Hubbers don't mislead readers on purpose.
      
      Errors detract from an author's credibility, so many will want to fix them. However, Hubbers maintain ownership (and therefore responsibility) for their Hubs on HubPages, so unfortunately some will choose not to correct for accuracy even when errors are pointed out.

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         paradigmsearchposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I'd be happy to correct any errors I make. Unfortunately, I never make any.

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      rebekahELLEposted 9 years agoin reply to this

        This is basically the answer to your own question.  I've flagged hubs, mostly medically related, that I feel absolutely require a disclaimer.  I wish that HP would require some sort of disclaimer that could be used by those giving out medical/health related information, but ultimately it's the reader's responsibility to check credentials and references when reading online content.  I would never trust an article that didn't have authoratative references to back up the content.  Pointing it out to the author in an email may or may not be received well.

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   ilikegamesposted 9 years ago

   I think there are two issues here. Is it being purposely written to mislead people? Or is it simply outdated?
   
   If it's obvious that it is intended to trick users it should be reported.
   
   If something is out of date or an obvious accidental inclusion I generally send a message/email to the person through their profile as they are generally more likely to see that I think and I don't think it looks good on their page to have my comment (which might be why you're seeing rejected comments?)

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      RandomCanidaeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It's neither; the information is just wrong (likely due to poor research). I've tried leaving comments, but so far, they've been modded, as addressing the inaccuracies would likely lead to a significant rewrite.

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   agilitymachposted 9 years ago

   I've had the same issue.  I've run across articles in my area of expertise that are just flat wrong.  With most of them, I've just ignored it.  I'm assuming that those articles aren't going to get many views anyway because they weren't written by someone who knows the subject.
   
   However there was one article that had information that could be damaging if someone believed the inaccuracies.  I believe I didn't leave a comment, but wrote the hubber an e-mail instead.  I do not know if the offending hub was corrected or not as I didn't keep track of it.  As a comment is designed to be "public" and an e-mail is designed to be "private," responding by e-mail seems a kinder vehicle for criticism.
   
   Now, I avoid reading articles on dog agility here. It's just too frustrating to read such poor research!!!

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      RandomCanidaeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Unfortunately, the articles that I've had issues with were written by fairly popular Hubbers (one was an apprenticeship alum). I sometimes think that they're only writing to ride the hype. I kinda prefer using comments as opposed to direct emails, since it seems more practical and less personal.

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   Cardisaposted 9 years ago

   You can report the hub by selecting deceptive or other category and explaining the reason for flagging.
   
   But beware, unless HP can prove that the information is wrong then there isn't much anyone can do.
   
   There is a difference between incorrect grammar and incorrect info. Incorrect grammar is obvious to all who read it but incorrect information is only noticeable to those with the knowledge. Sooner or later the reputation of that writer will suffer.
   
   I have a severe problem with people on HP posting Jamaican recipes and there nothing I can do about it. 99% of the Jamaican recipes posted here are way off but there is nothing I can do.

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   LuisEGonzalezposted 9 years ago

   Flagging a hub for simply having "incorrect" information is not appropriate. You have to be very sure of your facts before doing it.
   
   Recipes are also a "author's interpretation/variation etc " and should never be flagged.
   
   Probably the only exception is when a hub has the potential of causing harm (like a home medical remedy for example)
   
   Apart from emailing the author and sharing your concerns, there appears not much else that can be done.

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      Cardisaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      When a person posts a Jamaican recipe, for example a Jamaican rice and peas recipe, there are supposed to specifics about that recipe. Jamaican jerk has specifics as well. So not all recipes are as you put it "author's interpretation/variation etc ". It's like posting an Asian recipe with noodles and calling it Italian pasta.

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         Writer Foxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         One person's definition of what is kosher for a recipe is not everyone's definition of what is kosher for a recipe.  If this were the case, there would be no need of dozens and dozens of kosher hechshers which are even country specific:
         http://www.kosherquest.org/symbols.php
         
         'Mexican food', for example, means one thing in Mexico and quite another in Texas.

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            Cardisaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            I am not talking about a generalization of recipes but specifics. I am not talking about a variation on recipes but specific things which makes a recipe authentic to a specific culture.
            
            What makes Mexican Food Mexican?
            What makes Italian food Italian?
            
            Why am I arguing about this? You seem to jump on me every chance you get.

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               Writer Foxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I'm not sure what exactly you are arguing about and I didn't "jump on you."  When you posted this on the forum, you're going to get at least some feedback: "I have a severe problem with people on HP posting Jamaican recipes." And I don't know why Jamaican recipes are a "severe problem" for you, either.

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                  Cardisaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  In my original response I posted one paragraph about Jamaican recipes just for reference and some people who believe they always know the answer to everything feel they have to put me in my place.

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      RandomCanidaeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This doesn't really apply as much to gaming articles. When someone says that players can invite friends to PvP battles when you actually can't, I consider that an inaccuracy. I can probably prove ever inaccuracy I've found so far.

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         Writer Foxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         The solution there is just to write your own Hub on that.  It might even show up under 'Discover More Hubs' at the bottom of theirs if you use the same keywords.

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   cecileportillaposted 9 years ago

   If you have concerns about a hub with information that you believe is incorrect, it is more appropriate to contact the author directly and point that out.

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   fpherj48posted 9 years ago

   I learned a lesson long ago on this very issue.  I chose to flag the hub and proceed to explain to the HP team, "why."  In this case, the inaccuracies were blatantly and seriously flawed in a way that could mislead teenagers on a vital matter. 
   It was clearly obvious that the "writer" was actually  preaching from the pulpit, (religious motives!) but disguising his opinions while posing as a "professional expert" on the topic.
   I agree with you 100% on how upsetting and frustrating this can be.  My lesson learned?  Absolutely nothing was done about the hub.  Nothing.
   Best we accept that we (fellow hubbers) are not the "Inaccuracies Police," and move on.  Hope that the majority of those who read these hubs are smart enough to decipher.
   As for contacting the author personally........forget the practical vs. personal aspect.   Do it via PRIVATE contact...not in the comment section.

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      cecileportillaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry if my comment was not clear. I also meant that the author should be contacted privately. One done publicly the author may feel embarrassed and may become defensive.

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         fpherj48posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Cecile.....Your comment is very clear.  I was referring to OWO's reply to Agilitymach where he states he prefers a "practical" vs "personal" approach.  You and I actually agree.  lol

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            RandomCanidaeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            I admit that using direct emails would be a better option. I'm just that lazy.

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               fpherj48posted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Well....we're suggesting that you not be lazy, if this is something you really feel you need to resolve......

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   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   All you can do is tell the author.  So whether they accept or reject the comment: mission accomplished.

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This has only happened to me one time.  I AM an expert in the field that the person was writing about and their inaccuracies could have caused serious financial damage to readers who took their guidance as being correct and then acted on it.  I left a comment on the article, and the author, a very popular hubber, got incensed and attacked me personally.  I was furious, so I wrote an article of my own to counteract hers.  Whether it helped or not, I will never know because she got thousands of views more than I did, so I think she really damaged a lot of people.

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         psycheskinnerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         In some cases you can also flag the hub.  I do this when hub makes dangerous medical claims that I know break FDA laws (I link to the plain language version of the law in the report).  I guess that makes me "the bad guy", but I would hate to think that someone might get poisoned or turn away from the treatment they really need because they got inaccurate advice during a vulnerable moment.

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   Alphadogg16posted 9 years ago

   I try not to leave negative comments on anyone's work, but being a niche writer & an expert in my field of choice, it does bother me to see inaccurate information. False knowledge is worse than ignorance. I try to be politically correct in my comment correcting the wrong information. People seem to accept that a little better than just calling them out & making them look like a moron.

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      RandomCanidaeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Now that I think about it, it seems way easier just to ignore them and just focus on my own Hubs. =w=

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    blueheronposted 9 years ago

    It often seems to me that there is kind of a preponderance of misinformation, disinformation, and outright falsehood everywhere you look in media. In many fields, it's absolutely routine to "cook" data. There are whole vast areas of debate over matters in which a fact-based discussion is pretty much impossible, such as whether or not our pets go to heaven--or whether or not we go to heaven. We have authorities and advisors in many fields who would probably be publicly hung if they could be held accountable for their advice.
    
    Quite a lot of the stuff people believe--and put in writing and say out loud--is pure fantasy, and quite a lot of that is self-serving fantasy--or more likely self-serving deceit.
    
    This is rather of a large problem. The best solution is to point out the truth, in those instances where you think it might be worthwhile. And, yes, put it in the comments if you feel strongly about it. Clearing the reader's brain of cobwebs may be more important than sparing the author's feelings. But don't hold out much hope that you'll restore mental hygiene.

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    davidlivermoreposted 9 years ago

    If it's on the internet, it has to be true.  No one lies on the internet, right?
    
    Right?

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    wrenchBiscuitposted 9 years ago

    Dear Random,
    
    My advice: Do nothing...do nothing at all. Freedom of the press ,or in this case the "Hubber" is more important than policing the internet.
    
    As far as a misleading article being a threat to society,as some here have alluded to.I am certain that no one  on this forum is capable of writing anything that could be any more harmful , or more deadly, than the automobile,which kills an average of 40,000 people each year in the United States.
    
    Statistics show that "almost half" are drug or alcohol related; meaning ,that "over half " of these fatalities are caused by people driving while sober.Which makes me wonder:
    
    How many of you who are concerned about inaccuracies on the internet, also drive an automobile? Furthermore, if someone dies from drinking gasoline because they read an article that suggested it  would enhance their libido,the person who wrote the article should be promoted,not penalized.There has never been a  shortage of idiots in the world, One less idiot can only make the world a better place.As Paul McCartney would say: Live and Let Die.

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       Writer Foxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       +1 (except for the guy dying because I don't like it when people die)
       
       Wow!  I think we need to start protesting against sobriety.  I had no idea it was so dangerous. LOL

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          RandomCanidaeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          So it's okay to post inaccurate content, because cars hurt people? Alrighty...(also, I don't drive; I iz a pedestrian)

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    Nando Ltdposted 9 years ago

    How about keeping your eye on your own bobber.

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