A CRITICAL-EXAMINATION OF THE PEER-REVIEW PROCESS

This paper examines the Process of peer review in scientific publicati on. It outlines the background to Locknet (the international network f or research into the preparation, publication and dissemination of hea lth research). It looks at the objectives of the peer review process, ethical and quality issues raised, and the problems of improving the q uality of peer review It also briefly explores some of the research re cently undertaken into peer review.