Peer Review

Question 1

Peer Review

Answer 1

• The process by which psychological papers are scrutinised by other psychologists in a similar field before publication
• Those reviewing the research will consider it’s validity, originality and significance
• They will also propose improvements

Question 2

What do journals use the process of peer review for?

Answer 2

To decide whether or not a paper is valid, original and significant and therefore worthy of publication

Question 3

What are the main purposes of peer review?

Answer 3

• To determine if research is worthwile - Helps funding be allocated effectively
• To validate the relevance and quality of research - Prevents fraudlent research being relased to the public
• To suggest improvements and amendments to the study - Helps ensure the findings are as valid as possible

Question 4

2 Benefits of Peer Review

Answer 4

1. Protects society from incorrect research which could have drastic effects
2. Improves the quality of research - Peer review can allow researchers in the field to suggest amendments and improvements to the researcher, (such as new ways to control extraneous variables), which could lead to more valid findings

Question 5

4 Limitations of Peer Review

Get at least 3 right - Don’t necessarily need to know all 4

Answer 5

1. Smith 1999 argues that it is difficult to find experts - Resulted in poor research being published - reviewer didn’t really understand the research
2. Reviewers may lack objectivity - If a researcher’s personal beliefs disagree with the study, then they may scrutinise it harshly - This can lead to really good and valid studies not being published - Society misses out on information
3. Supressed theories - Findings that challenge mainstream theories tend to be supressed, meaning new and challenging ideas are usually rejected - Rate of change in scientific fields is slowed down
4. Publication bias - Editors tend to favour publishing ‘headline grabbing’ and positive results, which leaves negative results being intentionally not published - Causes a misconception about current state of Psychology

Question 6

Who argues that the difficulty to find experts has led to poor research being punished?

Answer 6

Smith - (1999)

Question 7

What are the 3 types of peer review?

Answer 7

1. Open review
2. Single-blind review
3. Double-blind review

Question 8

Open review

State one reason this is praised and criticised

Answer 8

The researchers and reviewers know who eachother are
* Praised for reducing plagerism, as researcher and reviewers know who eachother are, so it would be easier to spot plagiarism
* Concern that criticism is watered down due to politness

Question 9

Single-blind review

Answer 9

Most common form of peer review - The reviewers are anonymous to the researcher

Question 10

Double-blind review

Answer 10

Both the reviewer and researcher remain anonymous

Question 11

What are the 4 main outcomes of peer review?

Answer 11

1. Accept work unconditionally
2. Accept the work as long as the researcher makes certain improvements/changes
3. Reject the work, but suggest amendments for re-submission
4. Reject the work