peer review

• Peer review

  Assessment of scientific work by experts prior to publication to ensure high quality
• Peer review limitations

  • Burying research therefore suppresses opposition to mainstream theories - favourable to matched views therefore new ideas likely rejected therefore slows rate of change and emergence
  • Chances of long-lasting fraudulent work - evidence = Wakefield 1998 [MMR vaccine link to autism - increased measles cases and people still believe this]
  • Publication bias - inclination to positive and 'healing grabbing' results, file drawer problem (ignore negative results) therefore false presentation of current state of psychology
  • Anonymity to target rivals for competition funding
• Peer review purposes

  • Funding - see if worthwhile therefore if appropriate seek amendments and improvements
  • Ensure no fraudulence by validating relevance and quality
• Peer review strength

  • Establishes validity and accuracy of research (eliminates mistakes) - gives researchers a chance to improve their research therefore prevents fraudulence therefore preserving reputation and increasing credibility of psychology