Developing a procedure for learning and assessing peer review in a forensic science programme
File(s)Peer review paper 12Oct18 complete manuscript.docx (97.61 KB) Supplementary Information 06Oct18.docx (120.9 KB)
Accepted version
Supporting information
Author(s)
Hamnett, Hilary
McKie, Amanda
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Peer review of forensic casework is essential for ensuring quality and reducing error rates. However, it is not a common component of forensic science degree courses, and there are no published studies, guidelines or methods for teaching and learning forensic peer review. This study describes a method of learning, teaching and assessing forensic peer review through the use of group work to prepare checklists for reviewing casefiles and expert witness reports, followed by individual peer feedback. Example checklists and assessment criteria are provided. The peer feedback comments on expert reports were categorised revealing that suggestions are the most frequent type of feedback provided, followed by questions. Through a questionnaire, participants strongly agreed that the learning and teaching process described here was relevant to their future professional practice, and that through the use of checklists they understood the criteria for effective forensic peer review. It emerged from a semistructured interview that limited time led some students to surface review expert reports, that peers were seen as legitimate sources of knowledge, and additional feedback from lecturers was required. This study may be relevant to other areas where professional peer review is used, such as open source software development, nursing and community pharmacy.
Date Issued
2019-07-04
Date Acceptance
2018-10-12
Citation
Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 2019, 44 (5), pp.787-798
ISSN
0260-2938
Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Start Page
787
End Page
798
Journal / Book Title
Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
Volume
44
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education on 22 Dec 2018, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02602938.2018.1536924
Subjects
Education
1303 Specialist Studies in Education
1505 Marketing
1701 Psychology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-12-22