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Re:Science Fraud Site Owner Suspends Site in Response to Leg... by jacquesm on Friday January 04, 2013 @11:32PM (#5011615)
The problem is that they took it upon themselves to be judges, jury and executioner. If all they did was point out the potential mistakes under a less judgemental name they'd have been fine.

It looks like their plan for the future is a re-launch doing just that so let's see what they come up with.

Saying something is fraudulent is libelous, saying you think something is a mistake is just about as bad in the scientific world (the research is just as invalid) but does not carry with it a sense of judgement. Who knows whether something was a mistake or outright fraud, sometimes it is hard to tell the difference (see the certificate matter on the homepage right now).

Do not attribute to malice what you can attribute to incompetence works just as well in the scientific world. Having to retract a paper is no fun at all.

Re:Science Fraud Site Owner Suspends Site in Response to Leg... by danso on Saturday January 05, 2013 @01:37AM (#5011921)
Another maxim that applies: Show don't tell.

In other words, if something is a fraud, that should be made self evident after you've proven the case that mistakes were made. No need to label it as "fraud"...in the same way that a funny joke should not be prefaced with "This following joke is very funny"

Re:Science Fraud Site Owner Suspends Site in Response to Leg... by sk5t on Saturday January 05, 2013 @02:10AM (#5011968)
Or at least restrict oneself to saying "The preceding data raise very serious questions about aspect x of y." Even in the most plaintiff-friendly environment it would seem difficult to mount a case for libel... But is the message then diluted? I suppose it depends on the audience.
Re:Science Fraud Site Owner Suspends Site in Response to Leg... by pfortuny on Saturday January 05, 2013 @06:03AM (#5012296)
OK, but as another commenter says, when you play the scientist, you must stick with the rules. Otherwise you are playing the journalist, which character has a quite different set of rules (and consequences).

It is as easy as saying: "This graph is in contrast with this data...". If it is overwhelming, it is by itself, not by the adjectives.

Re:Science Fraud Site Owner Suspends Site in Response to Leg... by danso on Saturday January 05, 2013 @04:36AM (#5012169)
I would think that out of all audiences, a scientific one could respect the idea that facts without rhetoric, speak for themselves.
Re:Science Fraud Site Owner Suspends Site in Response to Leg... by uvdiv on Saturday January 05, 2013 @04:02AM (#5012136)
Saying something is fraudulent is libelous,

It's not libelous, unless you're referring to legal definitions in specific repressive countries (such as the UK). Libel is a malicious lie. This is someone speaking their conscience.

Re:Science Fraud Site Owner Suspends Site in Response to Leg... by danso on Saturday January 05, 2013 @04:15AM (#5012147)
"Libel is a malicious lie."

There are other issues about your comment, but I'll start with just pointing out that your assertion here is false. A statement can be considered libel if gross negligence was involved, not just malice.

Re:Science Fraud Site Owner Suspends Site in Response to Leg... by illuminate on Sunday January 06, 2013 @04:09PM (#5017746)
"It's not libelous"

Perhaps not, but PROVING that it's not is expensive.