for Peer Review
In our previous issue, we asked you to give us your opinion in favor of the peer review process. Many thanks to our voters. Here are your randomly ordered top ten responses, in your own words.
1. Vengeance.
2. It gives scientists who are waiting for grant approvals a job.
3. By having study parameters and creative statistical interpretation of results reviewed by our peers, we have the peace of mind of knowing that they are no more certain of the ultimate truth than us.
4. Cold fusion.
5. The chance to slow the publishing of any research that threatens to invalidate or reduce interest in your own.
6. So that books like the Bible do not get published as scientific literature.
7. As Socrates' editor once said, "The unexamined life's work is not worth publishing." This, coupled with the fact that Socrates had his manuscript turned down for the third time by The Journal of Pliny the Elder, was a bitter root to swallow indeed.
8. Somebody has to read what I've done!
9. To exclude the opinions of creative scientists with intellects that exceed those of his/her peer reviewers who are oft the inbred gatekeepers of prestigious journals.
10. Peer review is top consultants working for you for free!
Frederick H. Carlson is a professional artist and illustrator whose clients include The Saturday Evening Post, Baltimore Sun and Pittsburgh Magazine.
