Science knowledge level next to username

[FtlIsAwesome]

Near someone's username, there's various information. Number of posts, recognitions, etc.

I suggest adding a feature, maybe optional for the user, to show one's educational background along with these.

This way people will know your level of knowledge right away, and can write their posts accordingly. Repliers will know whether they are talking to a high schooler, or someone with a PhD, etc.

 

[Pengwuino]

This has been suggested before. The consensus was that it doesn't really help since 1) people can say whatever they want and 2) on the other end, people can usually tell by how a user poses a question as to what their educational background is and can answer accordingly.

 

[S_Happens]

No thank you.

 

[JaredJames]

I'd also add that this would cause people to ignore posts by those who they feel are under qualified (or not qualified), regardless of the content and accuracy of their posts.

I feel this is something that already happens with post counts to some extent.

 

[Borek]

I suggest adding a feature, maybe optional for the user, to show one's educational background along with these.

And how are you going to check them?

 

[lisab]

There is a place to put educational background info on your profile page, on the "About Me" tab. It's optional, of course.

 

[micromass]

There's of course also the problem that knowledge is not linear. Somebody with a PhD is biology doesn't necessary know much about quantum mechanics, and conversely. And if such a person asks something about quantum mechanics, then the last thing he wants is getting an answer on a PhD-level...

Something I encourage everybody to do, and which I somethimes asks when answering somebody, is posting some background information. That includes their knowledge level, what courses they are following now, why they ask the question,... That makes it easier to answer the question on a suitable level. But I don't know if it's feasible to post it under somebody's username...

 

[FtlIsAwesome]

There's of course also the problem that knowledge is not linear. Somebody with a PhD is biology doesn't necessary know much about quantum mechanics, and conversely. And if such a person asks something about quantum mechanics, then the last thing he wants is getting an answer on a PhD-level...

Good point.

 

[Pengwuino]

I'd also add that this would cause people to ignore posts by those who they feel are under qualified (or not qualified), regardless of the content and accuracy of their posts.

I feel this is something that already happens with post counts to some extent.

Wait wait, you mean you don't need a phd in Physics to solve my 11th grade F = ma problem??

 

[JaredJames]

Wait wait, you mean you don't need a phd in Physics to solve my 11th grade F = ma problem??

I know, absurd isn't it!

Apparently, only having a bachelors and not a phd underqualifies you in some peoples eyes.

 

[jhae2.718]

Well, if you're going to solve my 1-d kinematics problems, you'd better have a PhD in theoretical physics!

 

[shelovesmath]

And while you're at it, arm bands. . .

 

[G01]

I think the recognition medals give enough information about the quality of a users posts. In fact, the recognitions are more relevant because they are based directly on a user's posts on PF. The content and usefulness of a user's posts is readily apparent and easily verified by the community. This is not so with a degree.

 

[MacLaddy]

I can see the OP's point. Think about it this way; some people may look at my glamorizing PF Contributor label, the fancy gold font color of my handle, plus my avatar- and they may think that I know something about something. But seriously, I haven't got a clue. I would be blowing nothing but smoke if I were to comment on a vast majority of issues here.

 

[ZapperZ]

I can see the OP's point. Think about it this way; some people may look at my glamorizing PF Contributor label, the fancy gold font color of my handle, plus my avatar- and they may think that I know something about something. But seriously, I haven't got a clue. I would be blowing nothing but smoke if I were to comment on a vast majority of issues here.

Except for the fact that there's quite a bit of monitoring being done not just by the mentors, but also by other responsible members. So you won't be blowing your smoke for very long in this forum.

The "medals" that were given to members (such as Homework Helpers or Science Advisors) were never given based on "educational background". As has been mentioned, there is no way for any of us to verify such information. Rather, these are given based on a history of "performance" in this forum. That is a more accurate indicator of the expertise of a particular member than anything else.

Zz.