Is it possible to become an expert in something you didn't previously know about simply by using Wikipedia?

Just Wikipedia? No.

Using Wikipedia as a springboard for information? Yes.

Usually you are going to want to validate your findings, and that requires more than just checking a site and taking what is written as gospel. Case studies, white papers, and analysis/review oriented sites are your friends.

no...you can't become an expert in something by reading an encyclopedia. You need to do more research work. +5

Maybe if you wanted to become an expert in the use of Wikipedia.

no
wikipedia is edited by random people all over the world and is more than likely to have missing and false information

No it is not, mainly because Wikipedia is edited by people who are not experts.

No, you need to buy an online diploma to be an expert.

I have found many mistakes in wikipedia. Using them as a sole source will make you an expert on nothing.

YES. if prevoiusly you're an expert giving accurate result;using wikipedia alone will make you an EXPERT being LOUSY

Yes, it is possible, but highly improbable. Assuming that the preeminent expert made amn entry on wikipedia that included ever nuance of his work/experiences/learning you would have the knowledge of an expert in the field.

Depends what you call an expert. I didn't know anything about SWOT analysis and DFD diagrams for business processes to complete the project we had lined up as the business "expert" got called abroad on short notice. I got myself a few ebooks, a couple of websites and my old ATHENS login and completed the work. So does that make me an expert no but I replaced one.

It not about what you do it's how you use it. It's why professionals are better than experts as experts can tell you all about it but probably never done it, but professionals do it day in day out.

wikipedia is not a reliable source.
believe it or not most the stuff on there isnt correct imformation