What is peer review primarily used for?

Peer review is a critical process in the publication of research, primarily used to assess manuscripts for their suitability for publication and to facilitate improvements in the quality of the research article before it is disseminated to the broader scientific community. This process involves evaluation by other experts in the field, who examine the manuscript for aspects such as the validity of the methodology, the significance of the findings, clarity of the writing, and the appropriateness of the conclusions drawn.

By engaging independent reviewers, the peer review process ensures that the research is rigorous and meets the standards of the discipline. It serves not just to filter out subpar work, but also to provide constructive feedback that authors can use to enhance their manuscripts, making them more robust and impactful. This emphasis on quality helps to uphold the integrity of the scientific literature and fosters trust among researchers, practitioners, and the public.

In contrast, assessing the financial viability of research, recruiting authors, and marketing published articles fall outside the primary scope of peer review. While these activities may be important in their own rights, they do not align with the main aim of peer review, which is focused on the content and quality of the manuscripts themselves.