Peer review

Question 1

What is peer review?

Answer 1

The process through which new research is validated and publicised
The assessment of scientific research by others who are experts in the same field

Question 2

What must the reviewer be?

Answer 2

Objective and unknown to the researcher

Question 3

What are the aims of peer review?

Answer 3

To validate the quality of research
To suggest improvements to the research
To allocate research funding

Question 4

What are the issues of peer review?

Answer 4

Publication bias/file drawer bias- negative results rejected as uninteresting
Rejection of new/groundbreaking theories- paradigm shifts threaten this in power
Bias

Question 5

Give an example of misconduct

Answer 5

James Vicary claimed he used subliminal messages about popcorn and Coca Cola, which increased sales in popcorn and Coca Cola, however it was all made up

Question 6

What are the strengths of peer review?

Answer 6

Promotes and maintains high standards in scientific research
Helps to prevent scientific fraud as submitted work is scrutinised
Promotes the scientific process through the development and dissemination of accurate knowledge and contributes new knowledge to scientific field

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of peer review?

Answer 7

Anonymity- as reviewers are anonymous, they may use it to criticise rival psychologists
Publication bias- Publishers only want interesting, attention grabbing headlines, so less interesting research may not be published, can lead to a very unbalanced view of human behaviour