From BrainPop:
Language
One of the most important concepts behind the scientific method is that experiments must be repeatable by others. So when scientists publish the results of their experiments, those results go through a very thorough process called peer review.
In peer review, other scientists read and evaluate an experiment, making sure that the original researcher(s) followed all the steps of the scientific method. They also check to make sure that there are no lapses in logic between the experiment’s hypothesis and conclusion.
Peer review is important not only because it ensures that experiments are carried out correctly; it also acts as a stamp of approval from others—including competitors—working in a particular field.
Peer review is therefore considered an extremely critical part of the scientific establishment. In fact, if an experiment is published by an individual or organization that does not peer review its articles, the results of the experiment are usually considered suspect by members of the scientific community.
See 3
See 5
See 5