peer review and psychological research and the economy

Question 1

explain the role of peer review

Answer 1

• before a piece of research can become part of a journal or published it must be put through a peer review
• this involves all aspects of the written investigation being scrutinised by a small group of usually 2 or 3 experts in the particular field
• these experts should conduct an objective review and be unknown to the author or researcher

Question 2

what are the main aims of peer reviews

Answer 2

1. To allocate research funding. 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 such as the medical research council, who have a vested interest in establishing which research projects are most worthwhile
2. To validate the quality and relevance of research. All elements of research are assessed for quality and accuracy: the formulation of hypotheses, the methodology chosen, the statistical tests used and the conclusions drawn
3. To suggest amendments or improvements. Reviewers may suggest minor revisions 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 In extreme circumstances, they may conclude that the work is inappropriate for publication and should be withdrawn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 3

what are the three main evaluations of a peer review

Answer 3

• anonymity
• publication bias
• burying ground-breaking research

Question 4

explain the three main evaluation points of a peer review

Answer 4

• Anonymity: It is usual practice that the ‘peer’ doing the reviewing remains anonymous throughout the process as this is likely to produce a more honest appraisal. However a minority of reviewers may use their anonymity as a way of criticising rival researchers who they perceive as having crossed them in the past. This is made much more likely by the fact that many researchers are in direct competition for limited research funding. For this reason, some journals favour a system of open reviewing whereby the names of the reviewer(s) are made public
• Publication bias: it’s a natural tendency for editors and journals to want to publish significant headline grabbing findings to increase the credibility and circulation of their publication. They also prefer to publish positive results- this could mean that research which does not meet these criteria is ignored or disregarded. Ultimately, this creates a false impression of the current state of psychology if journal editors are being selective in what they publish
• Burying ground-breaking research: The peer review process may supress opposition to mainstream theories, wishing to maintain the status quo within particular scientific fields. Reviewers tend to be especially critical of research that contradicts their own view and much more favourable to that which matches it. Established scientists are the ones more likely to be chosen as reviewers, particularly by prestigious journals and publishers. As a result, findings that chime with current opinion are more likely to be passed than new and innovative research that challenges the established order. Thus, peer review may have the effect of slowing down the rate of change within a particular scientific discipline.

Question 5

give an overview of the implications of psychological research for the economy

Answer 5

• how it influences, effects, benefits or devalues our financial prosperity

Question 6

state the two implications of psychological research for the economy

Answer 6

• attachment research into the role of the father: Bowlby originally stated that a child can only ever create a secure, long lasting monotropic attachment with its mother whilst the father was free to carry out his natural role as a provider for the family however new research since suggests that both parents have a largely important role within the child’s upbringing and are both equally capable of providing a child with everything it needs. This understanding may promote flexible working arrangements within the family. It is now a norm for many households that the mother is the highest earner and so works longer hours. This means that modern parents are better equipped to maximise their income and contribute more effectively to the economy.
• The development of treatments for mental disorders: Absence from work costs the economy around £15 billion a year and a government report revealed that a third of all absences are caused by mild to moderate mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress (the telegraph 2014). Treatments have been introduced such as the use of psychotherapeutic drugs like SSRI’s for depression and OCD. Antianxiety drugs for stress and referrals can be made for therapies such as CBT and systematic desensitisation. Individuals can also engage in self-treatment using similar methods. This means that, in many cases, people with mental disorders are able to manage their condition effectively and return to work. Thus, the economic benefit of psychological research into disorders such as depression is considerable.