Peer Reviewing

Question 1

What is peer reviewing?

Answer 1

An assessment of researched work by psychologists/specialists working in a similar field, it is a form of quality control

Question 2

What is the process of peer reviewing?

Answer 2

1. Reviewers do not know who has undertaken the research
2. A research paper is then submitted to and sent to experts (generally unpaid) in the field
3. The experts critically appraise all aspects of the study as well as the ethics committee
4. The research is then returned with their recommendations to whether the work is of acceptable quality

Question 3

What are the strengths of peer reviewing? (5)

Answer 3

1. Peer reviewing occurs to ensure only high quality research is published
2. Peer reviews assess the originality of a study
3. Peer reviews ensure the research has followed a scientific process and is objective
4. Peer reviews ensure the research is important/significant in a wider context
5. Peer reviews assess whether the designs/methods used were appropriate

Question 4

Why are the reviewers involved in the peer reviewing unaware of who has undertaken the study?

Answer 4

Reviewers do not know who has undertaken the research in order to avoid personal bias

Question 5

What are the limitations of peer reviewing? (3)

Answer 5

1. The process for peer reviewing is very long and some research may become outdated before it is published
2. Peer reviews rely on the panel reviewing to be unbiased; if they are experts in their fields they may not ‘like’ the findings which could cause valuable research to go unpublished
3. There are not enough people recruited to panel generally because they are usually unpaid