Peer review & psychological research & the economy

Question 1

What is peer review?

Answer 1

• he process by which psychological research is subject to independent scrutiny by researchers in the same field to check for the validity, significance, originality before publication

Question 2

What are the main aims of a peer review?

Answer 2

• to allocate research funding
• to validate the quality & relevance of research (hypotheses, methodology, statistical tests & conclusions)
• to suggest amendments and improvements

Question 3

Evaluating peer review - anonymity

Answer 3

strength
- peer remains anonymous so likely to produce honest appraisal
weakness
- minority of reviewers may use their anonymity as a way of criticising rival researchers who may have crossed them in the past
> researchers are in direct competition for limited funding

Question 4

Evaluating peer review - publication bias

Answer 4

• journals prefer to publish positive results (file drawer problem) > research which does not meet criteria is ignored & disregarded
• creates false impression of current state of psych

Question 5

Evaluating peer review - burying ground breaking research

Answer 5

-process may suppress opposition to mainstream theories in order to maintain the status quo within particular scientific fields
- reviewers tend to be very critical of research that contradicts their own view
- established scientist likely to be chosen as reviewers> findings that chime with current opinion more likely to be passed > slows down rate of change

Question 6

What is meant by the term economy?

Answer 6

• the state of a country or region in terms of the production & consumption of goods and serviced

Question 7

Implications of attachment research on economy

Answer 7

• recent research suggests that both parents are equally capable of providing emotional support necessary for psychological development
• promotes more flexible working arrangements within the family
• norm for mother to be a high earner & work long hours
• modern parents can maximise income & contribute effectively to the economy

Question 8

Implications of the development of treatments for mental disorders on the economy

Answer 8

• absence from work costs the economy estimate £15 billion a year
• 1/3 of absences caused by mental health disorders such as depression
• treatments such as SSRIS for OCD & depression means people can manage their conditions effectively & return back to work to contribute the the economy