Lesson 11 - Peer Review

Question 1

Peer Review

Answer 1

Research proposals submitted to panel for peer review
Assessed for merit and decides if it is worth funding
Before research report is published, it is peer reviewed again
Independent scrutiny of research is conducted
Considers validity, significance and originality and appropriateness of methodology and experimental design used are also assessed

Question 2

Peer Review Evaluation Points

Answer 2

Independent Scrutiny
Double Blind Procedure
Specialist

Journals
Connections

Question 3

Peer Review Evaluation
Independent Scrutiny
Positive

Answer 3

Increases probability of errors being identified

Authors and researchers are less objectives about their own work

Question 4

Peer Review Evaluation
Double Blind Procedure
Positive

Answer 4

Used to researcher can be kept anonymous

Researcher does not know who peer reviews their work

Question 5

Peer Review Evaluation
Specialist
Positive

Answer 5

Involves specialist psychologist in the field judging work and they will have exceptional knowledge and expertise in order to make the best judgement
However, it is not always possible to find an appropriate expert
Might mean poor research might be positively peer reviewed because reviewer did not completely understand it

Question 6

Peer Review Evaluation
Journals
Negative

Answer 6

Tend to prefer positive results as editors want to increase standing of their journal
Results in a bias in published research leading to a misperception of facts

Question 7

Peer Review Evaluation
Connections
Negative

Answer 7

Peer review can be an unfair process whereby some reviewers have connections with certain universities
Therefore favouritism or bias might occur towards researchers depending on their institution