KINIGUIDE | The recent controversy over a Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) paper on maritime history, and the university’s assertion that it has been peer-reviewed, has brought public attention to a longstanding problem in academic publishing.

The peer review process has long been an integral part of academic scholarship. While not foolproof - various forms of mistakes and misconduct still slip through the cracks - it remains a crucial measure for ensuring the quality of the research published papers.