Peer Review

Question 1

What is the purpose of a peer review?

Answer 1

To retain the integrity of psychological research of psychological research

Question 2

What are the steps for a peer review?

Answer 2

1. Submit paper to journals who send it to independent experts “peers”
2. Peer considers quality of research
3. Peer decides whether to reject research or not
4. Accepted research goes to journal editor who decides on publishing

Question 3

How does one consider the quality of research?

Answer 3

Look at research design, methods used and check for potential confounding variables

Data analysis method also checked

Question 4

What 2 outcomes can occur if a paper get rejected?

Answer 4

Rejected with suggested changes

Rejected with no chance of resubmission (flawed)

Question 5

What are the strengths of peer review?

Answer 5

+ Makes scientist more honest & careful with research (planning, execution & analysis) - know it will be checked

+ Prevents bad work from being published (errors more likely to be found)

Question 6

Why is it good to prevent bad work from being published?

Answer 6

Errors in work would reduce public trust - peer review prevents this

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of peer review?

Answer 7

Can be difficult to find suitable peers with enough knowledge - may judge poor research as good

May be biased

Question 8

How can a peer review be biased?

Answer 8

Reject based off of institution

Accept due to friendly connections

Not due to objectively good research