Peer review

Peer review

The assessment of scientific work by others who are specialists in the same field ensure that any research intended for publication is of high-quality

The main aims of peer review

• To allocate research funding

• To validate the quality and relevance of the research in terms of quality and accuracy

• To suggest amendments or improvements, they may suggest minor revisions of the work

Anonymity

The parent reviewer must remain anonymous as they are more likely to produce a more honest appraisal. However, some reviewers may take this as a chance to criticise rival researchers as they are indirect competition and there is limited research funding.

Publication bias

Published significant headline grabbing findings to increase the credibility and circulation of the publication and they prefer to publish positive results therefore the research does not meet these criteria is ignored or disregarded

Burying ground breaking research

Pay review is a process that may suppress opposition to mainstream theories. Reviews tend to be especially critical of research that contradicts their own view and maybe be more favourable than their own. Established scientists are the ones more likely to be chosen as reviewers by prestigious journals and publishers. Therefore, they may have the effect of slowing down the rate of change within a particular scientific discipline.