Peer Review and the Economy

What is the purpose of peer review?

To ensure research is of high quality before publication.

Who conducts a peer review?

A small group of experts (‘peers’) in the same field, independent and objective.

What are the 3 main aims of peer reviews?

1. Validation of the quality + accuracy

2. Suggests improvements

3. Allocate research funding

How does peer review help guard against fraud?

Reviewers check data, methodology, and analysis to detect fabricated or manipulated findings.

What is a real-world example showing need for peer review?

Andrew Wakefield’s 1997 MMR-autism study was published without proper scrutiny and later discredited.

Define anonymity in peer review.

Concealing the identity of the reviewers during the process of evaluation

What is a problem with anonymity in peer review?

Some reviewers may unfairly criticise rivals due to competition for funding.

Define publication bias.

Journal editors prefer positive, significant results, ignoring null findings, creating a false impression of psychology.

What is the “file drawer problem”?

Unpublished negative results are left out, skewing the scientific record.

What is “burying ground-breaking research”?

Ignoring new ideas + challenging mainstream theories, slowing progress.

Why might peer review slow scientific change?

Established scientists as reviewers may favour familiar ideas over innovative research.

Define economy in psychology context.

The state of a country in terms of production,consumption of goods and services.

How can psychology contribute to the economy?

Improve productivity, reduce costs, and support a healthier workforce.

How does attachment research support the economy?

Recognising fathers as equally capable caregivers allows flexible working, boosting family income.

How does mental health research support the economy?

Treatment for disorders like depression reduces work absence, saving the economy money.

How do treatments for mental illness help economically?

They allow faster recovery and return to work, maintaining workforce productivity.

What are common treatments for depression and anxiety?

SSRIs, anti-anxiety drugs, CBT, and systematic desensitisation.

How does psychological research aid economic policy?

By informing mental health services and workplace wellbeing initiatives.

How can research into eyewitness testimony help the economy?

Improves police efficiency via cognitive interview, saving time and resources.

What is the cognitive interview?

A technique to improve eyewitness recall, developed from psychological research into memory.

How does the cognitive interview save money?

It reduces wasted police time and strengthens prosecution cases, saving court costs.

Summarise 3 key evaluation issues of peer review.

• Anonymity bias

• Publication bias

• Suppression of innovation.

What is the overall function of peer review?

To maintain scientific integrity, credibility, and accuracy in published research.