4.2.3.1 THE ROLE OF PEER REVIEW

Question 1

what does peer review do?

Answer 1

• plays a key part in the verification of research
• helps to determine if the research can be deemed scientifically acceptable

Question 2

what is peer review?

Answer 2

an independent assessment carried out before the research is published by other experts

completed independently and usually anonymously

Question 3

what are 5 aims of peer reviews?

Answer 3

1) to assess the appropriateness of the research
2) to check the researchers validity
3) to judge the significance of the research
4) to check the research is original
5) to suggest or provide recommendations

Question 4

what is the process of peer review?

Answer 4

• usually several experts will review the research
• the experts will review the research and suggest edits or identify issues with the research
• an outcome is then reached

Question 5

there are usually 4 outcomes which can be reached from the peer review

what are these?

Answer 5

1) accept the work unconditionally
2) accept the work as long as the researcher makes certain improvement
3) reject the work, but suggest alternations for re-submission
4) reject the work outright

Question 6

what are the three types of peer review?

Answer 6

1) open review
2) single-blind review
3) double-blind review

Question 7

what is an open review?

Answer 7

• the researchers and reviewers are known to each other
• believed to reduce plagiarism
  -> but there’s a concern criticisms are watered down, either due to politeness or worried about the retribution the reviewer may face

Question 8

what is a single-blind review?

Answer 8

• the most common form of peer review
• the researchers name is not released to the reviewer
• due to it being anonymously reviewed
  -> it’s hoped it’ll be an unbiased review
• but this is often not the case
  -> the reviewer can sometimes hide behind their anonymity and be underservedly harsh

Question 9

what is double-blind review?

Answer 9

• both the researcher and the reviewer are anonymous to each other
  -> an to the aims and/or the hypothesis
• this is hoped this makes the review free from bias
  -> but often the researcher is identifiable by their writing and research style

Question 10

what are the 4 key criticism points of peer review?

Answer 10

1) aren’t unbiased
- the research world is relatively small and so researchers and research is known by most within that social world
- researchers are funded by different organisations who want certain research deemed acceptable and push for that to happen

2) plagiarism
- reviewers have been accused of plagiarism
- and for not accepting work so their own work can be published 1st

3) felt the ability to publish research is in the control of the elites
- that they don’t like change / revolutionary ideas
- so they reject research which isn’t agreed with

4) time consuming and slow process
- often taking months / years to complete