peer reviews

Question 1

define peer review

Answer 1

The assessment of scientific work by others who are specialists in the same field to ensure that any research intended for publication is of high quality.

Question 2

what are the three aims of peer reviews?

Answer 2

1. allocate funding for future research
2. to validate the quality and relevance of research
3. to suggest ammendments or improvements to it
4. universities rankings

Question 3

aims

allocate fundings for future research

Answer 3

independent peer evaluation also takes place to decide whether or not to award funding for a proposed research project - establishing which ones are worthwhile → funding for future research

Question 4

aims

to validate the quality and relevance of research

Answer 4

all elements are assessed for quality and accuracy such as methodology

Question 5

aims

To suggest amendments or improvements

Answer 5

reviewers may suggest minor revision of the work → improving the report → or deem whether it is inappropriate

Question 6

why are peer reviews a good idea ?

Answer 6

• Make sure people making decisions are acting on credible data - RWA
• ensures that the research is credible

Question 7

strengths of peer review

Answer 7

• Anonymity - more likely to produce a more honest appraisal
• Makes sure methodology is not shown to be wrong
• Allows teachers and other researchers to gather data from credible sources

Question 8

limitations of peer review

Answer 8

• Anonymity - minority may use this as a way of criticising rival researchers → made more likely in the fact that researchers are in competition for limited funding
  Double blind trial to go around this
• Bias - may have a friend or fellow colleague to publish their work / wanting to approve most ‘headline grabbing’ works
  Can it be tricky to find experts to send it to / expensive / time → cost - benefit analysis ?
• Practically - Can be expensive / useless at detecting fraud → can be easy to shift answers not good at being able to lie