Role of peer review Flashcards
What is peer review?
Scrutiny by experts of research papers to determine scientific validity.
What is the peer review process?
During peer review, it is usual for several expert reviewers to be sent copies of the research paper by a journal editor. These reviewers report back to the editor, highlighting weaknesses or problem areas, as well as suggestions for improvements if necessary.
What are the 4 options for reviewers?
- Accept the paper unconditionally
- Accept it as long as the researcher makes certain improvements
- Reject it but suggest revisions and a resubmission
- Reject it outright
What is single-blind review?
This is the usual form of peer review, which involves the names of reviewers not being revealed to the researcher. The idea is that reviewer anonymity allows for an unbiased review free from interferences by the researcher. However, there is the danger that anonymous reviewers may delay the review process so their work can be published first or hide behind their anonymity to be undeservedly harsh.
What is double-blind review?
This involves both reviewers and researchers being anonymous. This idea is that the research will be reviewed without any bias. However, it’s likely the researcher would be identifiable from their research topic or writing style.
What is open review?
This involves reviewers and researchers both being known to each other. This is seen as reducing the risk of personal comments and plagiarism and encourages open, honest peer reviewing. However, some may water down their critique because of fear of repercussions.
Why is peer review important?
- Peer review is part of the verification process whereby research is deemed to be scientifically acceptable or not. It consists of a system used by scientists to determine whether research findings can be published in scientific journals. This system of independent scrutiny by scientific experts (the peers) before a decision is made about whether they can be published reduces the chances of flawed or unscientific research being accepted as fact. This is viewed as the best system of assessing scientific plausibility.
What are the criticisms of peer review?
Critics argue that peer review isn’t unbiased. Research occurs in a narrow social world and relationships within this sphere may affect the review process.
In obscure areas of research, there may be no one else with sufficient knowledge to peer review.
Reviewers have been accused of not accepting research so that their own studies can be published first as well as accusations of researchers plagiarising ideas from research papers and that they reject.
Reviewers may be resistant to accepting papers which counter things that they have found or moved away from the accepted paradigm.
