Peer review, effect on the economy. Flashcards
What is a peer review?
evaluation of scientific, academic, or professional work by others working in the same field.
What is the aim of a peer review?
-To allocate research funding.
-To validate the quality and methods of the research.
-To suggest amendments and improvements and in some cases conclude the research is not fit for publication.
Anonymity in peer reviews:
-Some researchers use their anonymity to criticise scientists that have crossed them in the past.
-Researchers are in direct competition for funding, publication, etc.
Publication bias in peer reviews:
-The natural tendency of editors to publish headline grabbing titles and positive results.
-So inaccurate research may be published anyway.
What is the file drawer problem?
The idea that reviews and meta-analyses of published literature might overestimate the support for a theory, because studies finding null effects are less likely to be published than studies finding significant results, and are thus less likely to be included in such reviews.
Burying groundbreaking research in peer reviews:
-Researchers may only be willing to publish research that falls alongside mainstream belief or matches their own view.
-So peer reviews can suppress groundbreaking research.
Studying attachment and the effect on the economy:
-Research into the role of the father showed that the roles were different, but the mother or father could each provide the emotional support a child needs for a healthy psychological upbringing.
-Flexible working arrangements so parents can maximise their household income and contribute more tax to the economy.
Studying treatments and effect on economy:
-Mental healthy disorders cause a third of work absences, costing £15 billion a year.
-Research into treatments can create a healthy workforce and so people can return to work.
-SRRIs.
