research methods: peer review and psychological research and the economy

Question 1

What is 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 main aims of peer review?

Answer 2

• To validate the quality of the research
• to suggest important improvements to the research
• to prevent fraud in research
• to allocate research funding

Question 3

Outline the process of peer review:

Answer 3

1) Research is conducted
2) Research is written up
3) research is submitted to a relevant journal
4) Research is peer reviewed and either published or rejected

Question 4

What features of peer review are open to criticsm?

Answer 4

• Anonymity
• Publication bias
• Burying groundbreaking research

Question 5

Evaluating peer review: Anonymity -> criticism

Answer 5

• A minority of reviewers could use their anonymity to criticise rival researchers who they perceived as having crossed them in the past
• therefore, some researchers favour a system of open reviewing whereby names of the reviewers are made public

Question 6

Evaluating peer review: Publication bias -> criticism

Answer 6

• Some publishers have a tendency to produce bias that will sell
• want ‘headline-grabbing’ findings to increase the credibility and circulation of their publication
• favour publishing positive results
• the file draw problem of important negative findings never being published as deemed ‘uninteresting’
• ultimately creates a false impression of the current state of psychology

Question 7

Evaluation of peer review: Burying groundbreaking research -> criticism

Answer 7

• may suppress opposition to mainstream theories, wishing to maintain the status quo within particular scientific fields
• not wanting to publish research that goes against the existing paradigm
• peer review may have the effect of slowing down the rate of change within a particular scientific discipline

Question 8

What is the economy?

Answer 8

The production and consumption of goods and services

Question 9

How has psychology had significant effects on the economy?

Answer 9

It has contributed to better working practices, a healthier workforce and better decision-making for individuals, organisations, corporations and governments

Question 10

How has psychological research into biological rhythms, sleep and shift work helped the economy?

Answer 10

• Shift work is an integral part of th economy, involved in many jobs
• e.g. emergency services, police and firefighters
• has a social impact
• research into biological rhythms and the importance of sleep has helped us to understand how damaging to mental and physical health shift work can be
• this led to protocols and treatments that can improve the health of shift workers
• help the economy to operate with greater efficiency

Question 11

How has treatments for psychiatric illnesses contributed to the economy?

Answer 11

• Absence from work costs the economy an estimated £15 billion per year
• a large proportion of absence from work is related to psychiatric conditions such as anxiety or depression
• improved understanding of the causes of and treatments for mental illnesses e.g. drugs for treating depression to therapy for anxiety, has allowed more employers to manage their conditions and stay in their jobs
• improves the lives of individuals and the productivity of the workforce