Peer Reviewed Articles

1. Peer Reviewed Articles There are certain advantages and disadvantages to using peer-reviewed articles. Usually, a professor will require the use of peer reviewed articles.

2. Definition • A peer review is an evaluation tool that evaluates the creative or scholarly performance of the item by other individuals in the field. • In theory, at least, the peer review process makes the item impartial and scholarly. Peer review enhances an items’ worth both directly and indirectly. Indirectly, weaknesses if any, are pointed out. Directly, the item can be used in terms of promotions, etc.

3. Definition 2 • Sometimes the peer review is implied, but often it is specified.

4. Weaknesses of Peer Review • Slow, especially in academic journals. • Some say that individuals are more comfortable with items that are similar to widely held beliefs, and thus truly original items are not published. • Sometimes peer reviewers are not given access to all the information used to formulate theories

5. Weaknesses 2 • With the advent of the Internet, anything can be self-published and does not necessarily have to be peer reviewed. • Cronyism is possible.

6. Advantages • Uphold standards • Impartial • Reviewed by scholars in the field prior to publication • Prevents the publication of insubstantial information, unacceptable interpretations, and unwanted claims • The accepted articles do not reflect only the editor’s beliefs