Peer Review

Question 1

What are the 5 main reasons for peer review

Answer 1

1. Publication cannot be reversed
2. Impacts on research funding
3. Assessment of research rating for universities
4. No plagiarism
5. The findings are reliable and valid adding knowledge to the field

Question 2

Explain why publication cannot be reversed

Answer 2

Publication is important as it cannot be taken back and your research may be used as the foundation for others so we need to prevent false research from being published

Question 3

Explain the impact on research funding - peer review

Answer 3

Funding allocated to unis based on how strong their research is. False research can lead to greater funding - peer review stops funding being allocated to incorrect place

Question 4

Explain assessment of research rating for universities

Answer 4

Each uni has a research rating. If producing false research unchecked, this would unfairly increase their rating — peer review stops this from happening

Question 5

Explain no plagiarism

Answer 5

Published work is required to be the original work therefore peer review stops authors publishing work that isn’t their own could impact funding or rating

Question 6

Explain knowing the findings are reliable and valid adding knowledge to the field - peer review

Answer 6

By having peer assess the work we can be sure that it has a benefit for the field

Question 7

Strength of peer review

Answer 7

Peer review ensures the quality of publication to ensure that there’s trust in research and has beneficial economic impacts

Question 8

Limitation of peer review

Answer 8

• if you’re famous you’re more likely to be published meaning there’s issues with whether creditworthy/appropriate studies are always published
•peer review is an expensive and time consuming process
• peer review can’t deal with already published research