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Failings of Peer Review

Occasionally, I come across an article in a peer review publication that reminds me of just how ineffective “expert” peer review can be. This article in Innovate is a recent example. How do articles like this make it through a peer review process??

5 Comments

  1. Martin wrote:

    I think when you become a ‘name’ like Prensky, editors are so excited to be able to get a piece from you, they abandon the peer review process, no doubt deeming it an insult to a celebrity. I don’t mind, I’m not that keen on the peer review process to start with, but people shouldn’t hold it up as some uncorrutable, infallible ideal in publishing.
    And don’t get me started on digital natives….

    Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 7:10 am | Permalink
  2. Frances Bell wrote:

    That article would have been very difficult to anonymise so I doubt that the peer review was blind. In this case, it would be very important to use skilled reviewers. Peer review is only as good as the people who do it, but usually better than ‘ recommender systems IMHO.

    Monday, February 9, 2009 at 4:36 am | Permalink
  3. Can you talk about some of your specific criticisms? I am taking a course, Prensky is required reading (though not this article specifically) and I am trying to vet all this info coming at me.

    Monday, February 9, 2009 at 11:13 am | Permalink
  4. Christine Crawford wrote:

    Prensky spoke at a conference I attended. I got his autograph and everything! Then I was required to read “Don’t Bother Me Mom-I’m Learning!” in a course at the same time I read “Games & Simulations in Online Learning” in which Prensky is a co-editor. The difference in quality and research based writing was startling, and my classmates and I began to seriously question Prensky’s statements. It was a great learning experience! I learned what NOT to do! lol

    Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:08 pm | Permalink
  5. Frances Bell wrote:

    @John If it is relevant to your work, it would probably be good idea for you to come up with your own criticisms. I would start with the definitions of terms used (did he?) and then examine the quality and appropriateness of the evidence for the (bold) claims he makes ;-)

    Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 8:57 am | Permalink