Peer Review Flashcards
What is peer review the process of?
Psychological research papers before publication, the subjected to independent scrutiny by other psychologist working in a similar field who consider the research in terms of its validity, significant and originality
What is the purpose of peer review?
Acts as a gatekeeper to filter out floored or unscientific research
What is the peer review process? (4 - 6marks)
1) Psychological research papers before publication subjected to independent scrutiny by psychologist working in a similar field to decide if it should be published.
2) Work considered for validity significance in originality possible improvements maybe suggested
3) assessment of appropriateness of methods and designs
4) reviewer can accept the research as it is, accept the research if improvements are made, reject research
5) Review can be open (both researcher and reviewer are named), single-blind (only researcher named and reviewer is anonymous) or double-blind (both research and reviewer anonymous).
6) editor of journal makes final decision on whether to publish research based on comments of the reviewer
What is the peer review purpose? (4 points)
1) Insures quality and relevance of research, methodology, data analysis. Accuracy/validity/ reliability of findings. Difficult for authors and researchers to spot every mistake in a piece of work, showing work to others increases likelihood weaknesses will be addressed
2) Insures published research can be taken seriously as its been independently scrutinised by fellow research
3) Prevents discrimination of a relevant findings, unwarranted claims, unacceptable interpretations, personal views and deliberate fraud
4) Determines whether research should receive funding
Evaluation-what is the issue with fraud in peer review?
In a small number of cases peer review has failed to identify fraudulent research before publication
Evaluation-what is the values issue with peer review?
Although psychologists try to be objective, it is generally accepted this Is impossible to do in separate personal cultural political views. Thus if research findings agree with the reviews own beliefs they are more likely to be accepted as objective research
Evaluation-what is the bias issue with the peer review?
Institution bias-tenancy to favour research which comes from prestigious universities. Gender bias-tendency to favour male researchers and bias towards positive findings.
Evaluation-what is the anonymity issue of peer review?
Due to direct competition for limited research funding a minority of reviewers may use that anonymity as a way of criticising five or viewers. Therefore some journals use open reviewing where the names of reviews are made public.
