What does "peer review" provide in the context of scholarly research?

Peer review is a critical process in scholarly research that involves the evaluation of a study by experts in the relevant field before it is published. This ensures whether the research meets the necessary standards of quality and validity. By subjecting research to the scrutiny of knowledgeable peers, the process helps identify any flaws, biases, or gaps in methodology, data collection, or analysis. As a result, only research that is deemed rigorous, credible, and valuable to the academic community and the broader field gets published.

The focus of peer review is fundamentally on the integrity and quality of the research rather than on enhancing the authors' competitive position or providing a platform for broader discussion. While public recognition can be an outcome of good research, peer review itself is primarily about evaluation rather than recognition. Additionally, although discussions around research faults can occur, these discussions are a byproduct of the peer review process rather than its core purpose. Therefore, the main value of peer review lies in its ability to ensure that published research meets high standards and contributes reliably to the body of knowledge.