Peer Review Flashcards
What is peer review?
When all aspects of a written investigation are scrutinised by a small group of experts in the particular field. These experts conduct an objective review, and are unknown to the researcher.
What are the main aims of peer review?
1.) to allocate research funding.
2.) to validate the quality and relevance of research.
3.) to suggest amendments or improvements.
What are the criticisms of the anonymity of peer reviews?
reviewers may use their anonymity to criticise rival researchers, eg if they have a negative history, or if they are competing for funding.
How could publication bias affect peer reviews?
editors of journals may only want to publish significant ‘headline-grabbing’ findings, so other research may be disregarded. this creates a false impression of the current state of psychology.
How could peer reviews lead to the burying of groundbreaking research?
the peer review process may suppress opposition to mainstream theories (or to reviewers own views), which may slow down the rate of change within a particular scientific discipline.
