Academic's lacked scientific rigour

I refer to the article by Paul Harris headlined 'Vigilance the price of a free academia' (South China Morning Post, April 26).

In my opinion, Mr Harris does not understand a university's review process on the quality of research, nor does he understand the meaning of the scientific method in social science research.

If he had suspended his party line temporarily, he would not have interpreted the rejection of Robert Chung's work as solely political. In my opinion, Dr Chung's work lacked scientific rigour. There is no reason why the Government, much less a good university, should have funded his work. Were I Dr Chung's department head, I would have urged him not to seek publication.

WILLIAM MAK

Oradell, New Jersey, US