peer review

Meaning

This term refers to the evaluation of scientific, academic, or professional work by others working in the same field. It is a critical quality-control process used before research is published to ensure accuracy and high standards. It can function as both a noun and a verb.

Examples

• All articles published in this scientific journal must undergo a strict peer review.

  All articles published in this scientific journal must undergo a strict peer review.

• Our professor asked us to do a peer review of each other's essay drafts.

  Our professor asked us to do a peer review of each other's essay drafts.

• The research findings were not taken seriously because they did not pass peer review.

  The research findings were not taken seriously because they did not pass peer review.

• She was invited to peer review a new manuscript for the medical journal.

  She was invited to peer review a new manuscript for the medical journal.

• The peer review process helps maintain high academic standards in research.

  The peer review process helps maintain high academic standards in research.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to do a friend review of my classmate's paper.

  ✓ I need to do a peer review of my classmate's paper.

  'Peer' specifically refers to someone of equal standing (like a classmate or fellow researcher). 'Friend review' is not a recognized academic term.

• ✗ The article was peer reviewed by the chief editor.

  ✓ The article was peer reviewed by other experts in the field.

  A 'peer review' must involve peers (equals in the same field), not just an editor or supervisor who holds a different hierarchical position.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before submitting your research paper, it must go through a rigorous ___.

  💡 Evaluation by other experts.

  Show answer

  peer review

• We spent the classroom session doing a ___ of our chemistry lab reports.

  💡 Classmates checking each other's work.

  Show answer

  peer review