peer review and the economy

Question 1

what is peer review?

Answer 1

an independent assessment process done by other experts in the same field, before a research study is published

Question 2

aims of peer review

Answer 2

• provide recommendations about whether the research should be published publically
• check the validity of the research
• assess the procedure and methods appropriateness
• judge the research’s significance in the wider context
• assess the work for originality
• inform the allocation of future research funding

Question 3

evaluate peer review

Answer 3

+ helps prevent substandard research from entering the mainstream, which protects the reputation of the discipline

+ as experts act as peers there is less chance for plagiarised work or duplications to be published

– often anonymous so may be used as a way to criticise rivals

– can be hard to find a suitable peer, especially for a new or ground-breaking topic

Question 4

implications of research on the economy

Answer 4

• psychological interventions often have effects that arent readily quantifiable
• e.g. those used to treat mental illness could enable someone to return to work after a period of absence
• long term, treatments could help reduce the chance of relapse
• psychological research into psychopathology increases lost tax revenues via salary contributions, and limiting costs to the gov by reducing the need for incapacity benefits