Peer Review and Psychology and the Economy

Question 1

What is peer review?

Answer 1

• Process by which psychological research papers are asses before being published
• Undergo scrutiny by other psychologists working in the same field who’ll consider the validity and significance

Question 2

What is the Process of Peer review?

Answer 2

Step 1.
- Researcher writes a paper and submits it to an editor

Step 2.
- Editor determines whether or not the article is appropriate and either accept it or reject it

Step 3.
- If accepted then it will go t o reviewers and researchers who will review it for quality and find gaps or overlooked bits

Step 4.
- Returned to the editor with recommendation to accept it reject it or revise it

Step 5.
- Article is returned to researcher with edits and then it needs changed and sent back

Step6.
- Editor re-receives and makes final decision to either accept it or reject it

Question 3

What does a peer review check for?

Answer 3

• Appropriateness such as methods and analysis
• Any ethical issues
• Sampling tech
• Potential bias
• Operationalisation
• Reliability, Validity
• Appropriateness of Conclusions

Question 4

What are 3 main reasons that peer review is done?

Answer 4

Validate quality and relevance of research
- Reviewer will scrutinise every inch of the study to properly ensure that it is valid and worthwhile if published

Suggest amendments or improvements
- May suggest revises or changes
- Might also just completely reject it and that it should be withdrawn

Allocation of funding
- Research is paid for by the govt and the overall budget for science research was 5.8bn in 2015/16
- Orgs spending it have a responsibility to spend it responsibly and not waste it

Question 5

What are 2 limitations of Peer review?

Answer 5

Publication bias
- Journalists tend to only publish positive results so anything that goes against the grain most likely wont be published
- Straight replications also don’t stand a chance of being published

Bury ground breaking research
- Anything that contradicts already published research it is unlikely to be published
- Research that agrees with already published research is more likely to be published
- Reduces chances of ground breaking being published

Question 6

How does Fathers attachment research effect the economy?

Answer 6

• Recent research ahs introduced the father as a valuable role in an infants life
• Psychological research has shown both parent just as capable as caring for an infant
• This leads the parent being able to maximise their earning potential and contribute to the economy

Question 7

How has Psychological research helped development of treatment for mental illness?

Answer 7

• Absence from work costs the economy £15bn/year
• 1/3 of all absences are due to moderate mental illnesses
• Psychological research has lead to treatments to reduce this number
• Patients nowadays are able to go to work and gain treatment
• Economically benefits due to psychology