PROMPT: Describe the process of peer review to someone who does not frequently read scientific articles. In your response, consider the pros and cons of peer review and how that might impact the credibility of the results that come from that scientific article.
Peer review provides a proof-read and a check to make sure claims being made are properly backed up with evidence. By having a qualified person review your article, it increases the credibility because they don’t carry the same beliefs, and if they agree with your points and evidence after reading your article it provides additional credibility. It also allows errors to be corrected, and suggestions for small changes. When writing an article, its easy to get caught up in your argument and lose yourself to small internal, unconscious biases. You make believe in a point you make and don’t feel the need for specific evidence to back it up. However, by having a fresh set of eyes look over your article, these unconscious biases can better be avoided, and any additional evidence necessary can be added. Another advantage to having a peer review your article is that they may be able to provide suggestions about additional sources, evidence, or areas to expand on which can lead to a stronger argument. They may also give ideas about additional potential explanations, or where to look for beneficial information to add to your article. However, having a peer review your article can have its disadvantages. First, it could cause you to question the strength of your claims/thesis to an amount not necessary to ensure an accurate paper. This could potentially cause someone to scrap their entire proposal/article for poor reasons because of self-doubt. Additionally, they could provide inaccurate input or additional biases that can take away from the strength of your argument. So it is wise to take any advice with a grain of salt and to double-check any claims they make and look into their sources to ensure that the information is up-to-date and accurate.
