Peer Review
Introduction
Peer review is an attempt to assure the quality of scientific papers and academic works. In the peer review process, several people who are considered peers of the author are asked to read a manuscript or grant application and make constructive comments and criticism. Ideally, peer reviewers are experts in the topic covered by an article. This gathering of opinions from external experts has two primary goals:
- to improve the accuracy and clarity of works that are selected to be published
- to filter out work that is irrelevant, trivial, weak, misleading, or potentially harmful.
The process is intended to root out inconsistencies, errors and failures of logic. Peer review, in effect, lends authority to a paper.
Peer reviewers assess the quality of scientific and medical against the following seven criteria.(1)
- Useful: study contributed significantly to the scientific debate or knowledge on a subject.
- Important: study findings should have a major impact to health or health care.
- Relevant: the topic is relevant to readers.
- Methodology is sound: methods used are able to answer the study question.
- Ethical: the study has been conducted and reported honestly and has avoided unnecessary harm to humans or animals.
- Complete: all relevant information is presented.
- Accurate: the information presented is a true reflection of what went on.
References
- Jefferson T, Wager E, Davidoff F. "Measuring the Quality of Editorial Peer Review." JAMA 287(21): 2786-2790, 2002
© 2003-2005
The University of Iowa Center for Macular Degeneration
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