From the
Retraction Watch site:
Scientist sues PubPeer commenters
The article makes some good points itself but the comments are where most of the real details are given.
I did not realize PubPeer was an open forum, like this one, where any member (actual scientists, please - tho how PubPeer vets those members I have no idea) can start a discussion on any paper and others can join in as they wish. No one is "invited" to be a reviewer, you just jump in, and I get the impression there are no restrictions or requirements on your credentials within the field being discussed.
My read:
- Dr. S had a number of papers called into question on the site. Data analysis, data integrity being issues.
- Dr. S applied and was accepted into a position at a school. He quit his old school and had a specific start date for the new school.
- Some unknown party sent e-mail copies of the messages on PubPeer to people at the hiring school.
- The school rescinded its employment acceptance before the start date citing the PubPeer threads as reason because,
"With these allegations lodged in a public space and presented directly to colleagues here (I am not sure of the scope of the anonymous distribution), to move forward would jeopardize our research enterprise and my own credibility."
Seems to me the new school may be liable for breach of their employment offer (iffy) and the anonymous e-mailer may be accused of libel (again, iffy).
PubPeer.com did not create this controversy. They only provided the platform for others to use to "peer review" scientific papers (from elsewhere, anywhere) and to discuss controversies in scientific and academic conduct/misconduct.
If (my most lovely lady) Faith should write in this forum that I am ignorant of the bible and am want to intentionally misrepresent the intent of its scripture and thus I am on my way to hell because I am an atheist, commie, fascist pig with ugly thinning hair and bad breath - in order to track her down and SLAPP her silly should I sue Percy to get her name, address, phone number?
Like Dr. S, I would be pissed (sorta) but is that Percy's fault?