peer review + economy

• peer review:

  • before research becomes part of journal - must be subject to peer review
  • scrutiny by small group (2/3 in certain field)
  • conduct an objective review - unknown to author/researcher
• aims of peer review:

  • allocate research funding, assess research rating of uni deps
  • validate quality/relevance
  • suggests amendments
  • judges significance of research
  • asses for originality
• fraudulent research (cyril burt):

  • published results (twin studies) used to show intelligence is inherited
  • fabricated data, publicly discredited but not before it was used for social policy
  • used for 11-plus examinations - determines who enters grammar schools
• criticisms:

  • anonymity - sometimes abused, rival researcher can criticise work of others they would be in competition with
  • publication bias - journal editors want to publish positive + headline grabbing results (filedraw problem) - not valid representation of findings
  • burying ground breaking research - established scientists more likely to approve research consistent to their on findings + suppress opposition to mainstream theories
• attachment research:

  • childcare was seen as sole responsibility of mother, father = financial provider
  • research shows they are equally capable for support for psychological development
  • promotes better working arrangements - better equipped to maximise income + contribute more to economy
• treatment of medical disorders:

  • absence from work costs economy £5b a year - 1/3 are caused by mild/moderate disorders e.g depression, anxiety
  • research increases diagnosis + treatment e.g SSRIs +CBT
  • sufferers able to manage condition effectively + return to work