Abstract
Peer review serves to evaluate the scientific validity and quality of research by other researchers within the same field. Psychology, like many other disciplines, uses peer review to determine whether researchers’ work is published, where it is published, and in what form. However, the peer review system is imperfect, often perpetuating harm, exclusion, and inequities. We believe these problems hinder psychology from becoming a truly representative and valid science. In this paper, we uncover the historical roots of the peer review system in psychology and describe how these roots persist today. Then, using personality psychology as an exemplar, we leverage a social justice lens to: (1) document key contemporary problems in the peer review system; (2) identify global challenges in peer review; and (3) provide recommendations and guiding questions that might help the field become more equitable, diverse, just, and inclusive. To do so, we draw upon three sources of information: our personal experiences, qualitative and quantitative data from 104 self-identifying personality psychologists, and the prior literature. Ultimately, the goal of this work is to give voice to those who have been harmed in peer review, and to inform how we might reimagine peer review in personality psychology and beyond.
Plain language summary
Peer review is a common part of science and refers to the process in which researchers within the same field evaluate others’ work before it is published. Psychology uses peer review processes to determine whether researchers’ work is published, where it is published, and in what form. However, the peer review system is imperfect and can unfairly exclude or be harmful to some researchers. We believe these problems hinder psychology from becoming a truly diverse, equitable, representative, and valid science. In this paper, we discuss the history of the peer review system, document key problems in the peer review system, and provide solutions that may help minimize the problems and help psychology become more equitable, diverse, and inclusive.
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