Research Methods: Review

Question 1

What are the 3 main aims of peer review?

Answer 1

1) Allocate research funding- identify if the research is worthwhile of funding.
2) Validate the quality and relevance of research - all elements of the research are assessed on accuracy and quality e.g. hypothesis, method, stats test.
3) Suggest improvements - minor revisions may improve the credibility of the research, or identify if the work is inappropriate for publication and should be withdrawn.

Question 2

Give 2 limitations of peer review:

Answer 2

Anonymity (L)
Reviewers in competition may overly criticise another researchers work so they are at an advantage. To resolve this the names of reviewers are often made public.

Publication bias (L)
Journals may not want to publish research that is not ‘headline-grabbing’, so research that does not reach this criteria may be disregarded or ignored, creating a false impression of the current state of psychology.

Question 3

What impact has attachment research into the role of the father had on the economy?

Answer 3

• Previously, Bowlby argued that a child can only ever form a secure, monotropic bond with their mother.
  -So during this time mothers were expected to purely care for the child, and fathers were left to carry out their ‘natural’ role as the ‘provider’ for the family.
• Recent research argues that the father may fulfil a different yet equally important role compared to the mother.
• Research shows that both parents are equally capable of providing emotional support necessary for healthy physiological development, and this may promote more flexible working arrangements within the family.
• It is common for in many families the mother is the higher earner and so works more, with many couples also sharing childcare responsibilities across the working week. Meaning that modern parents are better equipped to maximise their income and contribute more effectively to the economy.

Question 4

What impact has the development of treatments for mental disorders had on the economy?

Answer 4

• Absence from work costs the government £15 billion annually. 1/3 of this absence is due to mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
• Patients with mental disorders are often able to be assessed quickly and gain access to treatment, many mental disorders are treated with drugs, such as SSRIs and antianxiety medication, whereas some patients are able ti get referrals for therapies, such as systematic desensitisation or CBT.
• Means that many individuals with mental health disorders are easily able to access the treatments they need to manage their condition and return to work- benefiting and contributing to the economy.