I would agree with "correcting the science without attacking the author".
If a claim is made in a scientific or medical journal that others do not
agree with there is often a lively interchange of ideas in the letters to
the editor section in a subsequent issue.  Often the critical letters are
forwarded to the original author who can then formulate a reply.  This may
be a further amplification of his or her opinion, an admission of the fact
that there may be an alternative explanation or a retraction.
Occassionally there may be yet another round of letters further down the
road.  When a book is involved, one can address differences of opinion and
interpretation is a cogent, analytic book review.
 
Charlie
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Charlie Sturm, Jr
Research Associate - Section of Invertebrate Zoology
                     Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Assistant Professor - Family Medicine
 
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