Published research survives rejection by several gatekeepers who vouch for it

Evidence

When social psychologists write up a research report for publication, it is because they believe they have something new and exciting to communicate about social behavior. Most research reports that are submitted for publication are rejected. Thus, the reports that are eventually published are deemed pertinent not only by the researchers who wrote them, but also by the reviewers and editors of the journals in which they are published. These people, at least, believe the research reports they write and publish have something important and interesting to say. Sometimes, you’ll disagree; not all journal articles are created equal, after all. But we recommend that you, at least initially, give these wellmeaning social psychologists the benefit of the doubt. Look for what they’re excited about. Try to understand the authors’ story, and see where it leads you. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4598

Categorization

• DEFINE: Describes how to read a research report charitably — treat publication through peer review as a warrant that the authors’ story is worth entering.
• XREF: connects to: Withholding chemical data from exposed communities weakens their remedies — Rob Nixon, Slow Violence and the Environmentalism…, 161; Journalists lack the expertise and time to verify scientific claims — Lee McIntyre, Post-Truth, 172