  This work concerns studies of field electron emission (FE) from large area
emitters. It discusses--and where possible corrects--several literature
weaknesses related to the analysis of experimental current-voltage data and
related emitter characterization, using a recent paper in Applied Surface
Science to exemplify these weaknesses. One weakness, not detected in the
published paper, is that current-density experiments and related theoretical
predictions there differ by a large factor, in this case of order 10^(16). The
work also shows that a recently introduced validity test--the "magic emitter"
test--can be used, at the immediate-pre-submission or review stages, to help
uncover scientific problems. More generally, in the literature of FE from large
area emitters over the last 15 years or so, there appear to be many papers
(perhaps hundreds of papers) with some or all of the weaknesses discussed. The
scientific integrity of this research area, and of the related peer review
processes, appear to be significantly broken, and attempts to correct the
situation by the normal processes of science have had limited effect. There
seems a growing case for independent wider investigation into research
integrity issues of this general kind, and possibly for later action by
Governments.
