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I answered a story-id question three years ago and my answer was accepted. Upon subsequent re-reading of the three novels involved, I now know that that answer is incorrect. I identified the series correctly, but not the book. A few details supporting my answer are wrong as well.

What should I do:

  • correct the answer;
  • provide a new answer;
  • something else;
  • nothing?
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    FWIW, there's a now-deleted comment by the OP on your answer: "This seems right. Thank you! – Otis May 20, 2022 at 17:44" Commented Apr 14 at 10:59
  • Having read the OP's question more carefully, I think I actually did state the correct book, but I had numerous other errors that I have now corrected. Commented Apr 15 at 14:58

2 Answers 2

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I would say, fitting with the stated goals of Stack Exchange, the right action would be to correct your answer.

Simply explain the nature of your correction in the answer. That way, should anyone have the same question, the accepted answer will be correct.

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  • In general, it's frowned upon to change things too much (although the history remains to be consulted) to avoid changing what the querent accepted, but this seems like a good case to say "I originally stated X in the series Z, which was accepted, but I now realize that Y, in the same series, is more likely." It is clear what was accepted, and that it is a more minor change. Commented Apr 15 at 11:40
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    @FuzzyBoots That's what I meant by explaining the nature of your change. Don't remove anything, add to it. It's all context which works. Commented Apr 15 at 18:43
  • Sounds good. :) I just figured I'd clarify since "correct your answer" could be interpreted as "change it and explain that it was changed". Commented Apr 15 at 20:30
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You should correct the answer if you are able to do so, as mentioned in @GeoffAtkins' answer.

On the other hand, if you know the answer is incorrect but you don't know the correct one or can't find it, here are a few things you can do, that are not necessarily mutually exclusive:

  • You could ask the OP to unaccept your answer. If you think your answer does not bring any relevant information, then you could choose to delete it, as it will be no longer accepted. But even if it unaccepted, deletion is not necessarily a good idea: consider whether your answer could still be somehow useful to readers or to other people trying to give an answer.
  • You can edit your answer to add a preliminary warning to it.
  • If you feel like it, maybe add a bounty to the question, if you want to make up for your mistake. It could increase the chances that someone knowing the correct answer will respond.

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