23 January 2026

I once submitted an article to a journal about a theologian who was also a mathematician. The article was peer reviewed by two academics. One favoured it, the other did not. He raised questions about my arguments. I answered them successfully.

The article was then reviewed by a third academic. This time, he argued that the article should not be published. The feedback was brief. What I remember most vividly was the objection that my quotations were not in the original Latin!

I tell this tale to illustrate the extent to which publishers will go to ensure that the articles which they approve for publication are of the highest quality. The peer reviewers need to be rigorous. Is there any plagiarism. Are the arguments coherent? Are the quotations from the original text?

Recently, there has been some controversy about the number of scientific articles which have been published with falsified data, manipulated images, injudicious use of statistical information etc. According to Retraction Watch, founded in 2010, 500 scientific articles per month are being retracted!

Some high profile cases have caused serious harm like an article about the dangers of vaccinations which wasn’t true and an article about Alzheimer’s which inspired others to pursue separate lines of enquiry  built upon the false findings reported in a journal.

The peer review is done voluntarily. Scientists are busy writing their own papers. There is no incentive  to examine all the evidence. The work of Retraction Watch is crucial. Scientists are fallible. The public favour dramatic results. Sometimes they are exaggerated. Exposing them  gets us all closer to the truth!