If you had a fact wrong, would you want to be told? How?

1. 81

   Georgie Loweryposted 13 years ago

   If you had a fact wrong, would you want to be told? How?
   
   We all make mistakes. But, if you made one in one of your hubs, would you want to know? I've been corrected and felt grateful that someone took the time to say 'hey, you're wrong!' I've also let other people know if I found something that wasn't quite right and they also seemed to appreciate the help. There is a fine line, though, in the telling because people can get very defensive. I'm not talking about opinions, I'm talking facts.
   
   What about you? Would you want to be corrected if you made an error? Is there a 'right' way to go about correcting a fact?

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2. 80

   bankscottageposted 13 years ago

   If I had something wrong in a Hub, I would want to be told about it.  It could be done in the comments.  Even if someone disagreed with my opinion, they could express theirs.  If either was done in a polite way, I wouldn't have a problem with it.
   If I wanted to correct someone or disagree with them, I would approach it by first pointing out something I liked or agreed with in the Hub and then make the correction or express my difference of opinion.

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3. 60

   tapasrecipeposted 13 years ago

   Yeah i think i would as long as it was done in a friendly way or a helpful way that would benefit the writer. however  some people can be so superior and pompous with their advice and that  can be infuriating.

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4. 83

   Danieljohnstonposted 13 years ago

   If told quietly and politely it is better to be told if you are wrong and fix it rather than people continuing to see something that is wrong and having a mass of people thinking you are stupid.

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5. 60

   MarkRFoxposted 13 years ago

   A second set of eyes is always helpful, but I have had the other kind of person commenting I had something wrong and then when I went back and checked, they were the incorrect party...so I don't dig that...also it depends on how they approach it....If I feel they are just the type to look for mistakes and then rip you for it..instead of someone who just happen to find one and is only trying to help ..then that isn't so palatable..it really just depends

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6. 0

   Lisa Marie Warrenposted 13 years ago

   If it were an error about a fact or facts, I'd want someone to call it to my attention.  I don't particularly want to hear about typing errors (unless they change the meaning of a word or fact by being there).  Something else I don't want "input" on are suggestions on things like how I could have made the Hub better.   Again, facts are something very different from typing and/or writing style.
   
   I think if someone sees what he thinks is a factual error he should send the persona a polite e.mail and say something like, "I noticed what I think may be a factual error in your Hub.".  Then tell them the fact in question and why it is you believe it to be incorrect (or how you know it is incorrect).  Closing with something like, "I just thought you may want someone to mention it, because I know I'd hope someone mention something like this if he found it in something I've written."  Just one thing (and maybe this is me):  I can't stand the obligatory positive remark that's intended to "cushion the blow" of the "negative" one (the pointing out of the factual error).  To me, doing that amounts to a condescending insult that assumes I'm not professional, or adult, enough to be able to graciously accept having a factual error pointed out, or a fact I presented questioned.   

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   1. 60

      tapasrecipeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This is a fantastic answer, but just a pointer if you had wrote this from a one-eyed, one-legged martians point of view it would have been so much better. only saying this cause i would like it pointed out to me,
      sorry couldn´t resist . lol Carrie x

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   2. 0

      Lisa Marie Warrenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Very funny, clever and "wiseguy" of you  (although I hope you don't mind that I mention that you appear to have overlooked the handful of typos I made; so be watching for an e.mail about how to be a more effective nit-picker and two-cents-offerer.

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7. 79

   spartucusjonesposted 13 years ago

   If I made error I would like it pointed out. It would be helpful if they can prove why I am wrong (give the cited reference, etc...). But I would want the facts presented in my hub to be accurate. As long as it is done in a kind way, I really don't see the issue.

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