Peer Review

• Peer review - The process by which psychological research papers, before publication, are subjected to independent scrutiny by other psychologists working in a similar field who consider the research in terms of its validity, significance and originality
• The purpose of peer review is to act as a 'gatekeeper' to filter out flawed or unscientific research
• Process of peer review

  1. Psychological research papers, before publication, are subjected to independent scrutiny by other psychologists working in a similar field to decide if it should be published

  2. Work is considered in terms of its validity, significance and originality and possible improvements may be suggested

  3. Assessed on the appropriateness of the methods and designs used

  4. The reviewer can: accept the research as it is, accept the research if improvements are made, reject the research

  5. The review can be open (both researcher and reviewer named), single blind (only the researcher named and so reviewer is anonymous) or double blind (where both researcher and reviewer are anonymous)

  6. The editor of the journal will make the final decision on whether to publish the research, based on the comments of the reviewer
• Role of peer review in the scientific process

  • Ensures quality and relevance of research, e.g. validity and reliability of findings - it is difficult for authors and researchers to spot every mistake in a piece of work
  • Ensures that published research can be taken seriously because it has been independently scrutinised by fellow researchers
  • Helps to prevent the dissemination of irrelevant findings, unwarranted claims, unacceptable interpretations, personal views and deliberate fraud
  • Determines whether research should receive funding
• One problem with the use of peer review is fraud

  • In a small number of cases, peer review has failed to identify fraudulent research before publication
• One problem with the use of peer review is values

  • Although psychologists try to be objective, it is generally accepted that it is possible to separate from your personal, cultural or political views
  • If research findings agree with the reviewers' own beliefs then they are more likely to be accepted as objective research
• One problem with the use of peer review is bias

  • There are a number of ways in which a review of research may be biased:
  • Institution bias - the tendency to favour research which comes from prestigious universities
  • Gender bias - the tendency to favour male researchers and bias towards positive findings
• One problem with the use of peer review is anonymity

  • It is usual practice that the 'peer' doing the reviewing remains anonymous throughout the process to produce a more honest appraisal
  • Due to direct competition for limited research, funding a minority of reviewers may use their anonymity as a way of criticising rival reviewers, therefore some journals use open reviewing where the names of the reviewers are made public