Peer Review & The Economy

Question 1

What is meant by peer review?

Answer 1

Independent assessment process taking place before research study published & undertaken by other expert in same field of psychology
All psychologists must be prepared for work to be scrutinised anonymously

Question 2

What are the aims of peer review?

Answer 2

Check validity of research to ensure it’s high quality
Assess appropriateness of procedure & methodology
Judge significance of research in wider context of human behaviour
Assess work for originality & ensure other relevant research sufficiently detailed
Inform allocation of future research funding to worthy investigative processes
Provide recommendations about whether research should be published in public domain or not, or whether needs revision
PICAJA

Question 3

Evaluate peer review

Answer 3

Strength - less substandard & plagiarised work
E.g. - helps to prevent any substandard research from entering mainstream - protects reputation of discipline
Ex. - journals publishing work trusted for articles they disseminate

Limitation - peer reviews are anonymous
E.g. - peer reviews often anonymous in reporting on academic research, possibility use this fact to critique rivals in their field. Also tends to be limited funding for new research so element of competition could breed jealousy amongst researchers
Ex. - inaccurate/unfair criticism may be received following peer review process which isn’t valid reflection of quality of research.