Peer review & implications of psychological research

• The ultimate goal of any research= publication, but also want peer-reviewed journals.
• Peer review= the assessment of research by others who are experts in the same field, and is usually done before research is published.
• Peer Review:

  1. A manuscript of the study is sent to the journal.
  2. The editor & a board of reviewers read & comment on it, (reviewers are experts in their field & the process is usually done "blind").
  3. The editor considers the comment & decides whether to publish the study (the manuscript may be sent back to the researcher to make amendments before publication).
• Peer review checks: sources of bias, validity, reliability, ethical considerations.
• Purpose of peer review:

  • Finding- allows for scientific research to happen.
  • To validate the quality of research.
  • Sharing of the work you have produced.
• Limitations of peer review:

  • Reviewers tend to be long established scientists with their own published research & so tend not to publish newer contradictory evidence.
  • Finding an expert to review is not always easy- a non-specialist may need to be used.
  • Anonymity- of the reviewer to ensure honesty/ objectivity, this is not always the case as you're competing with peers for funding etc
  • Bias in peer review- journal wants to sell copies, so you want research that will sell.
• Psychology may contribute to or affect the economy by:

  • Anything that saves the country money on public spending, eg saves NHS money & resources by improving mental & physical health.
  • Anything that increases the amount of money the country earns through taxation.
  • Improves technology which can save businesses money, eg automated systems.
• Psychology & the economy example:

  • It used to be thought that children only required one single attachment- to the mother- therefore the father was free to return to work and fulfil is role as a 'provider', whilst care of the children relied heavily on the mother.
  • Now it's known that children actually require multiple attachments & their attachment to their fathers is also important.
  • This has resulted in a more equal share of childcare & opportunities for parental leave.