peer review & psychological research & the economy

Question 1

when does peer review happen

Answer 1

before a piece of research can become part of a journal

Question 2

main aims of peer review

Answer 2

1. allocate research funding
   - independent peer evaluation occurs to decide whether to award funding for research project
   - may be coordinated by government-run funding (eg. medical research council)
2. validate quality & relevance of research
   - all elements of research assessed for quality/accuracy
   - eg. formulation of hypotheses, methodology chosen, statistical tests used etc.
3. suggest amendments & improvements
   - reviewers may suggest minor revisions of work to improve report
   - may conclude work is inappropriate for publication & should be withdrawn

Question 3

evaluation of peer review (AO3)
1. anonymity
2. publication bias
3. burying ground-breaking research

Answer 3

1. anonymity
   - ‘peer’ must remain anonymous = honest
   (-) minority of researchers may use anonymity to criticise rival researcher who they believe have crossed them in the past - many researchers in direct competition for research funding
2. publication bias
   (-) editors of journals want to pubic significant ‘headline-grabbing’ findings to increase credibility/circulation of publication & prefer to publish more positive results
   = research which doesn’t meet criteria is ignored/disregarded
   = creates false impression of state of psychology if journal editors selective when publishing
3. burying ground-breaking research
   (-) peer review process may suppress opposition to known theories, as wish to maintain present state in certain scientific fields
   (-) reviewers critical of research that contradicts own view, & favourable to that which matches it
   (-) established scientists often chosen as peer reviewers, so findings that align with current opinion more likely to be passed
   = peer review may slow down rate of change in particular scientific discipline

Question 4

implications for attachment research into role of the father for economy

Answer 4

• at time of bowlby’s theory, childcare seen as mothers responsibility & father seen as provider for family
• recent research suggests father may fulfi a qualitatively different role from the mother (no less valuable)
• psychological research has shown both parents are capable of providing emotional support necessary for healthy psychological development = promotes flexible working arrangements within the family
• the norm in lots of households for mother to be higher earner = longer hours

= means modern parents are better equipped to maximise income & contribute more effectively to the economy

Question 6

implications for development of treatments for mental disorders for economy

Answer 6

• absence from work costs economy ~£15 billion per year
• recent gov. report showed 1/3 of absences are caused by mild to moderate mental health disorders eg. depression, anxiety & stress (telegraph 2014)
• psychological research into causes/treatments for disorders = supports healthy workforce
• patients assessed quickly & gain access to treatment
• many disorders treated using psychotherapeutic drugs eg. SSRIs
• referrals also made by GPs for psychotherapies eg. systemic desensitisation

= people with mental disorders are able to manage their condition & return to work = economy benefit from psychological research into disorders