Qualifications

[lemon_jelly]

I was just wondering if any of you people answering science based questions have any sort of qualifications or are you just guessing or looking the answers up on google?

[j2buttonsw]

I have a PhD from Imperial College in Biochemistry but try and avoid the questions in the science dept (except this, of course).

[Gef]

I have an Hons degree in Chemistry which I have taught for over 30 years. Doesn't mean I know all the answers though.

[Hamish]

I have a degree and PhD in chemistry and now lecture and conduct research at a University.

[ianess]

This whole AB site is a question and answer forum where answers and opinions may be given by anyone based on their "life experience", actual qualifications, or yes even by Googling.
I find it a good way of increasing and sharing general knowledge but I would never accept advice as fact without corroboration [if that's how it's spelt].
Same goes for sites such as Wikipedia.

[aka estie]

I agree with ianess.

But, for the record, I have degrees in various fields of biology: a BS, MS, and am working on a PhD at the moment.

[JudgeJ]

I have no science qualifications beyond 'A' Levels (which I took more years ago than I care to remember!). However, because I have now reached advanced years I have accumulated quite of lot of knowledge over and above my basic education.

I try to restrict all the answers I give on AB (not only those in the Science catgory) to topics that I have personal knowledge of. I may refresh that knowledge by looking up something from other sources myself before answering, but I personally don't much see the point of providing links to other sites. Those posing questions can easily find those sites if they wish. Essentially, if I don�t have an answer (or, at least the beginnings of an answer) myself, I leave it alone.

I also try to avoid matters of opinion, though with such a wide range of topics and an equally wide range of correspondents, I do get sucked into debates sometimes.

[Gef]

Well said Judge, exactly how I feel.

[peagreen]

I've got MBBS (medicine) and a BSc in pharmaology...got the obligatory science alevels but i try to leave all that nasty chemistry stuff to the experts! lol