Who Reviews the Reviewers?

摘要

A publication in a peer-reviewed journal has many implications. The reader will assume that there has been full editorial supervision at all stages of the submission and acceptance, that reviewers who understand the subject and the nuances of the study have been selected, that data collection is adequate and appropriate, and importantly in this day of increasingly complex statistical tests (performed using small computers) that the design and analysis is appropriate and can be followed, that the study has been conducted appropriately, results have been described accurately, and the discussion takes into account existing evidence. Voluntary unpaid reviewers, often with little support or training, will do many of these tasks. The authors will make similar assumptions and consider after the process is complete that the report meets the standards of correctness (i.e. the truth).