peer review

• peer review is when before publication, all aspects of the investigation are scrutinised by peers in the field. These peers should be objective and unknown to the researcher. The aims of peer review are:

  • to allocate research funding
  • validation of the quality and relevance of research
  • improvements and amendments are suggested
• strength of peer review is that it protects quality of published research. It minimises possibility of fraudulent research is of highest quality. It preserved the reputation of psychology as a science and increases the credibility and status of the subject
• limitations of peer review:

  • anonymity may be used to critique rival research- a minority of reviewers may use their anonymous status to criticise rival researchers. Often there is competition for limited research funding so this may be an issue
  • publication bias- tendency for editors of journals to want to publish 'headline grabbing' findings. Means that research that doesn't meet this criterion is ignored