topic 3 dq 3 peer review

Kendra Kimble-Moore

The primary difference I have come to understand in conducting graduate-level research is the emphasis on scholarly sources, the depth of analysis required to evaluate credibility, reliability, and relevance, and how the research is used to support the argument. I completed my undergraduate studies in psychology, and scholarly rigor was emphasized early in my academic career. As an undergraduate, I was required to use peer-reviewed literary sources, ensure relevance to research, and evaluate the authors' credentials. 

 

Reliability was addressed by studying foundational theories and developing an in-depth understanding of classic theorists, including Sigmund Freud and Ivan Pavlov. While Freud's psychoanalytic theory is primarily theoretical and less supported by empirical research today, it remains relevant for understanding the historical development of psychological thought. However, Pavlov's theories of classical conditioning are supported by empirical research and continue to support current psychological practice, providing reliability and relevance over time.  

 

At the graduate level, the focus shifts from learning these foundational concepts to critically evaluating them, using them to construct and support arguments, and putting them into practice.