I'm sick of scientists acting like their peers are better than mine

BY Greg G. Gregerson | 2/28/2019 04:50 PM PST

The scientific community uses a process called "peer review" where they check the results of one another's experiments to ensure that they are valid. I'm totally fine with that. What I'm NOT fine with is them acting like just because their peer is Dr. So-and-so and mine is Big Jerry that my "peer review" process isn't' as good as theirs. That's why I'm part of a growing movement to take peer review back from the doctors, scientists, researchers and experts.

Here's how:

Step 1: Write The Article

The scientists and I agree on this much. Before anything gets peer-reviewed, there's got to be something to review. But have you ever read a scientific research paper? They are suuuuper boring. In fact, they're so boring people probably don't even read past the first paragraph. But you're already finishing the second paragraph! Beat that endocrinologist!

Step 2: Find Your Peers

I have it on good authority that scientists don't actually know who reviews their articles. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW!! "Good evening, please meet my peer I don't know." Well, I know who my peers are. Take my buddy, Jeff. We've been peers since he move back into his mom's house. Jeff was there was for me when I needed an extension cord for my weed whacker and, now, he's here for me when I need someone to tell me my opinions about vaccination are totally right. You're the man, Jeff.

Step 3: Asking Your Peers To Review Your Work

Ok, I've got to give it to the scientists here. They don't have to ask anyone to review their work because reviewing one another's research is part of the job. For the rest of us non-eggheads, though, I suggest starting with your friends. Ok, so their opinions might not be super independent from mine, but it takes way too long to explain things to random strangers.

Step 4: Handling Feedback

Scientists usually take the feedback they get and make revisions to their work. But, if you were really confident in all the hard work you did, would you just change stuff because some "peer" you don't know told you to? Me neither. In fact, I probably wouldn't change anything even if someone I knew and trusted told me they thought I should. And look at me now, I've self-published countless articles based on hours of internet research!

Step 5: In Conclusion

Henceforth (scientists aren't the only ones who know that word), I think it's safe to say I've made my case. Thus, in conclusion, we are taking peer review back. I say "we" because we are basically peers now too. Thanks, buddy.