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Scientific Publications: Free for all?

: Does the hon. Gentleman accept that people who want things published do not want rubbish to be published because it creates problems, with people criticising their work? The community has some self-discipline, with papers being assessed by friends, who discuss where it might go before they get to the peer review system. The hon. Gentleman underestimates the fact that people in this field want to ensure that their work is of good quality; otherwise their kudos and respect plummets. They want a paper published so that people can say, ““That was interesting work. Will you come and address a meeting?”” The self-discipline of the community is hard to measure.