Peer review

• Before publication, all aspects of the investigation are scrutinised by experts (peers) in the field

  1. Experts should be objective and unknown to the researcher

  2. Aims of peer review: Allocate research funding

  3. Validate the quality and relevance of research

  4. Suggest improvements and amendments
• Peer review


  • Protects quality of published research
  • Minimises possibility of fraudulent research
  • Means published research is of the highest quality
  • Preserves the reputation of psychology as a science
  • Increases the credibility and status of the subject
• Peer review may be used to criticise rival research


  A minority of reviewers may use their anonymous status to criticise rival researchers
• Competition for limited research funding


  May lead to peer review issues
• Publication bias


  • Tendency for editors of journals to want to publish 'headline grabbing' findings
  • Research that does not meet this criterion is ignored or disregarded
  • Groundbreaking research may be buried
  • Reviewers may be much more critical of research that contradicts their own view
• Peer review


  May slow down the rate of change within scientific disciplines
• Psychological research


  • Can benefit our economic prosperity
• Attachment research


  • Importance of multiple attachments and the role of the father in healthy psychological development
  • May promote more flexible working arrangements in the family
  • Modern parents are better equipped to contribute more effectively to the economy
• Development of treatment for mental illness


  • A third of all days off work are caused by mental disorders such as depression
  • Psychological research into the causes and treatments of mental disorders means that patients have their condition diagnosed quickly
  • Patients have access to therapies or psychotherapeutic drugs, such as SSRIs
  • Sufferers can manage their condition effectively, return to work and contribute to the economy