Using
MadSci Network

Ahh.. Gorgonzola has forgotten the trephines again!
shimmering chimera

Contents

  1. Navigating our site
  2. Ask a Question
  3. Locating Resources

Introduction

Welcome to the MadSci Network. We use the web to unite hundreds of scientists in a forum where people can ask questions and learn more about the world around them. The accumulating body of information is maintained as a searchable resource on the WWW.


Navigation

We provide many ways to navigate through the information on our site. Files may be organized by subject, grade, keyword, or at random.. The scientists answering questions often include links to relevant sites on the web, so you need not stay within our boundaries to learn more about interesting topics.

MadSci Circumnavigator: An all-in-one frames interface that puts the MadSci Archives, search engine, and the Random Knowledge Generator at your fingertips. We maintain separate non-frames pages to allow viewing of recently answered question, and of files in the MadSci Archives.

Random Exploration - We field questions in topics from astronomy to zoology. If you don't know where to begin try Eunice's latest construct - the Random Knowledge Generator.

Subject Specific Exploration - The Circumnavigator, Current Queue and archives pages allow files to be viewed from specific areas. You can see what's living in astronomy's currentQ or in the chemistry archives.

Grade Specific Exploration - You may also generate an index relative to the grade level. For those outside of North America, grades K-3 correspond roughly to ages 5-8; grades 4-6 to ages 9-11; grades 7-9 to ages 12-14, and grades 10-12 to ages 15-18. The form in the archives will let you further specify a topic area (i.e. Physics, grade 4-6).

Keyword Search - The MadSci archives may be searched for specific keywords.


Asking A Question

What constitutes an appropriate question?

  1. It should concern science.
  2. It should be a question. Requests for web sites or resources will be directed to the MadSci Library.
  3. We will not do your homework (science project.. graduate research..).
  4. Highly technical questions are more appropriate for the USENET science groups which support threaded discussion.
  5. We will not answer questions related to business operations, therapies, treatments, supplements, medical diagnoses, or to making explosives, illegal substances or rail guns.

How do I ask a question?

Please search our site and browse materials in the MadSci Library before submitting a question. Nearly half of all questions can be answered by existing materials!  If you still cannot find an answer, submit your question through our online form.


Do I need an email address to ask a question?

No, the question form only requires that a question and area of science be entered. Note - you will not receive notification concerning your question's status once it has been reviewed if you don't provide us an email address.


What happens to questions?

  1. After submitting a question, you will receive a Message ID#.  This number is critical to following the progress of your question.  Number 6 of this list describes how to use the ID to check the status of your question.
  2. Next, one of the MadSci Moderators will review your question.  Moderators are graduate students or professionals covering fields in their areas of expertise.
  3. If you provided a valid email you will be notified if your question passes review.
  4. For questions not passing review, as time permits, the MadSci moderators respond directly to indicate where questions may best be directed.
  5. We ask that scientists respond within 7 days, or notify us that they will be unable to do so. We aim for a turn-around time of 2 weeks which allows questions to be sent to at least two individuals. We save questions for a maximum of 3 months, after which we send notification that an answer could not be found.
  6. The moderators also review all answers. If you provided a valid email, a copy of the final answer will be sent to you along with a URL to where it may be viewed on our site. If you did not enter an email, enter your Message ID# on the question status page. It will direct you to the answer when it becomes available.
Please keep the following points in mind.

How do I know answers are correct?

The MadSci Moderators review all answers which, to the best of our ability, are checked for correctness of information. We ask that people submitting answers provide references for information that cannot be found in an introductory textbook on the subject. Nonetheless, as we state in the MadSci disclaimer, We cannot guarantee the complete accuracy of posted answers. In the event inconsistencies or errors are found, we intend to make corrections as swiftly and as fairly as possible.

If you believe you have found an error in information on our site, please contact us with the URL of the file, what you believe to be in err, and, preferably, a fix to the mistake.


Locating Resources

Many people come to our site to locate resources for general knowledge, science fairs or other science projects. The MadSci Library is the best place to start.  The library is not intended as an 'end-all' of science links on the web, but will provide you with useful starting points for exploration.  It also contains information about using WWW search engines, USENET science groups and WWW Virtual libraries to find information.  We also maintain links to other Ask-A-Scientist services that field questions in different areas.

In addition, keyword searches of our archives may also produce useful information and links to sites.


Next: About the MadSci Network




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