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Science
Catherine Clase, Professor of Medicine, Epidemiologist, Physician, McMaster University

Peer review: Can this critical step in the publication of science research be kinder?

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It can be painful for researchers to read harshly worded criticism of their work from peer reviewers. (Shutterstock)

Democracy has been called the least worst system of government. Peer review is the least worst system for assessing the merit of scientific work.

Peer review is the written evaluation of a paper by other experts in the field. Though this sounds like assessment by equals, the power imbalance created by the roles of reviewer and reviewed distorts the relationship and affects the tone of the review. Reviews can be patronizing, demanding and unkind.

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