peer review and the economy

Question 1

what is a peer review?

Answer 1

when before publication in a journal, an author’s scientific paper is assessed by people who are experts in the same scientific area as the author

Question 2

stages of a peer review

Answer 2

1. submit paper to academic journal which sends paper to independent experts (peers)
2. peers consider quality of the paper (research design, research methods, extraneous variables, data analysis, conclusion drawn)
3. peers recommend whether or not it should be published
4. journal editor makes final decision
5. if rejected then changes would be suggested, made and process repeated

Question 3

what is the role of peer review in the scientific process

Answer 3

conducted to assess the quality of scientific work assessed and influences how science is carried out by practising scientists

Question 4

advantages of peer review

Answer 4

+ work is checked and assessed by an expert so scientist may be more likely to be honest in their reporting and more careful in their planning to increase the efficiency of their paper
+ helps journalists and public decide if scientific claims should be trusted
+ quality of published work can help to assess the quality of the academic institution - can help to get more funding

Question 5

disadvantages of peer review

Answer 5

• journals may struggle to find suitable peers with specialised knowledge
• professional rivalry may lead to peers rejecting papers on non-academic grounds or even to publish first
• peers may feel unable to challenge academic leaders

can combat this by single or double blind peer review
- blinding is problematic as authors can be identified by writing style and anonymous reviewers may steal ideas or be too harsh
- publication bias towards publishing positive findings results in file draw problem
- may take time to review which slows done scientific process