The role of peer review in the scientific process

What is a psychology journal?

• A psychological journal is a collection of recent psychological studies

• a journal tends to be published quarterly four times a year

• Psychological journals aim to advance and disseminate psychological knowledge

What is meant by the term peer review?

Peer review is the process by which psychological research papers, before publication in a journal, are subjected to independent school by other psychologist working in a similar field (peer) who considered the research in terms of its validity significance and originality.

Gatekeeper

Peer review acts as a gatekeeper and aims to reduce the chances of flawed or unscientific research being accepted as a fact.

General 4 options for reviewers to recommend?

1. Accept the work unconditionally

2. Accept it so long as the researcher improvrd it in certain ways

3. Reject it but suggest revisions and a resubmission

4. Reject it outright

Why is peer review important in psychological research?

• It is difficult for authors and researchers to spot everymistake in a piece of work. Showing their work to others increases the probability that weaknesses will be identified and addressed.

• it helps to prevent the dissemination of irrelevant findings, warranted claims, unacceptable interpretations, personal views and deliberate fraud.

Single-blind review

This is the usual form of peer review, which involves the names of reviewers not being