Peer Review

• Main Aims


  1. allocation of research funding - decide whether or not to award funding for a project.

  2. validate quality & relevance of research - all elements assessed for accuracy.

  3. prevent fraudulent publication of research.

  4. suggest amendments/improvements.
• Suggesting Amendments/Improvements


  1. accept work unconditionally.

  2. accept it, as long as researcher improves it in a certain way.

  3. reject it - suggest revision/resubmission.

  4. reject it outright.
• Anonymity


  Types

  1. single blind - name of reviewer isn't revealed to researcher.

  2. double blind - names of reviewer and researcher aren't revealed.

  3. open review - researcher + reviewer are known to each other.
• Why use Anonymity?


  - more likely to produce a more honest opinion.

  - reviewers may use anonymity to criticise rival researchers - have perceived as having competition for limited research funding.
• Publication Bias


  - a natural tendency for editors of journals to want to publish significant findings to increase the credibility/circulation.

  - research that doesn't meet criteria is ignored/disregarded.

  - creates false impression on current state of psychology.
• Burying Research


  - may suppress opposition to mainstream theories.

  - reviewers tend to be especially critical of research contradicting their view -> more favourable to matched view.

  - established scientists are more likely to be chosen as reviewers.