Peer review and implications

Question 1

Peer review

Answer 1

Before publication, all aspects of the investigation are scrutinised by experts (‘peers’) in the field

These experts should be objective and unknown to the researcher

Question 2

What are the 3 aims of a peer review

Answer 2

Funding
Validate Research
Suggest Amendments

Question 3

Allocate funding (peer review)

Answer 3

Independent peer evaluation also takes place to decide whether or not to award funding for a proposed research project. This may be co-ordinated by government-run funding organisations

e.g Medical research council

Question 4

Validate research (peer review)

Answer 4

All elements of research are assessed for quality and accuracy; the formulation of hypotheses , methodology chosen, the statistical test used and the conclusions drawn

Question 5

Suggesting amendments (peer review)

Answer 5

Reviewers may suggest minor revisions of of the work and thereby improve the report.

In extreme circumstances, they may conclude that the work is inappropriate for publication and should be withdrawn

Question 6

What are the 3 issues with peer review

Answer 6

Anonymity
Publication bias
Burying Ground-breaking

Question 7

Explain why anonymity is an issue when peer reviewing

Answer 7

Anonymity may be used to criticise rival research

A minority of reviewers may use their anonymous status to criticise rival research

Often there is competition for limited research funding so this may be an issue

Question 8

Explain why publication bias is an issue when peer reviewing

Answer 8

There is a tendency for editors of journals that want to publish ‘headline-grabbing’ findings

This means that the research that does not meet this criterion is ignored - file drawer problem

Question 9

Explain why burying ground-breaking research is an issue when peer reviewing

Answer 9

Reviewers may be much more critical of research that contradicts their own view

Peer review may slow down the rate of change within scientific disciplines

Question 10

What 3 examples of there in psychology is impacting the economy

Answer 10

Role of the father
Medical treatments
The nudge unit

Question 11

How does the role of the father impact the economy

Answer 11

Research has suggested that father may have more of a secondary role than primary role. This may put pressure on women to take a bigger role in the nurturing of a child (makes them feel guilty when going back to work after birth)

However father are increasingly staying at home when their child is born and therefore contribute less to the economy - allowing mothers to go back to work which will contribute to the economy

Question 12

EXTRA: maternal deprivation an example for improving economy

Answer 12

Bowlby (critical period) Ainsworth (attachment style) Rutter (romanian orphans) demonstrate intellectual, emotionnal and physical development can be negativey affected by deprivation early in child’s life

Improves economy as these adults are likely to be more productive adults, better adjusted to demands of adult life, less likely to need costly mental health support as adults