Research Methods- Peer Review Process

Question 1

What is the peer review process and what is the process?

Answer 1

Submitting written work to peer review before it is published so any poor research is eliminated.
1. Manuscript prepared and sent to editor
2. Copies sent to experts in that field
3. Copies sent back to editor with comments/recommendations
4. Editor decides whether to publish, revise, or reject the manuscript.

Question 2

Explain allocation of research funding (an aim of peer review)

Answer 2

Research has to be paid for by government/charitable funding. Reviews required to decide whether research is likely to be worthwhile.

Question 3

Explain publication of research i academic journals/books (an aim of peer review)

Answer 3

Allows scientists to share research results. PR prevents faulty/inaccurate data entering public domain.

Question 4

Explain assessing research rating of uni departments (an aim of peer review)

Answer 4

All uni science departments expected to conduct research, assessed in terms of quality (REF research excellence framework). Future funding for the department depends on receiving good ratings from REF peer review process.

Question 5

What are the three evaluation points of peer review?

Answer 5

Publication bias
Burying research
Economic implications