Disagree-voted (but not downvoted). I think consulting a professional is a standard so high, and costly, that we should not even imply that it’s a necessary condition, or even an expectation, before raising a concern. I think it’s pretty important that raising a concern should not cost money.
I don’t know whether a term 1 student paper is an appropriate standard, and I’d guess most other readers wouldn’t either, so it doesn’t seem like helpful guidance to me.
I do think the concerns in the OP fall below some minimum standard of due diligence and consideration to prevent wasting time and attention, but I personally would not want to set that standard too far above this post, or real red flags will go unreported, simply because the reporter can’t or won’t do the work to make them bulletproof.
Disagree-voted (but not downvoted). I think consulting a professional is a standard so high, and costly, that we should not even imply that it’s a necessary condition, or even an expectation, before raising a concern. I think it’s pretty important that raising a concern should not cost money.
I don’t know whether a term 1 student paper is an appropriate standard, and I’d guess most other readers wouldn’t either, so it doesn’t seem like helpful guidance to me.
I do think the concerns in the OP fall below some minimum standard of due diligence and consideration to prevent wasting time and attention, but I personally would not want to set that standard too far above this post, or real red flags will go unreported, simply because the reporter can’t or won’t do the work to make them bulletproof.