Peer Review: Not for the Peers?

Here is an interesting idea: is peer review not so much for the peers?

The scholars who are capable of peer reviewing a given article may not need this service; they can judge for themselves.

It is the rest of us - the general public, professionals, students, the researchers when searching outside their research specialties, who need the peer review to be assured of the quality of an article.

Peer review may be a good service to the peers, too - then they can focus more on reading, and less on critical evaluation.

With thanks to the inspiration of a (so far) anonymous friend.

This post reflects my personal opinion only and does not represent the opinions or policy of the BC Electronic Library Network or the Simon Fraser University Library.