Fagfællebedømte

Fagfællebedømte refers to scholarly work that has been evaluated by independent experts in the same field before publication. The aim of fagfællebedømmelse is to assess the quality, validity, originality and significance of the research, and to ensure that methods and conclusions are sound and supported by data.

In practice, an author submits a manuscript to a journal or conference. An editor or program committee conducts an initial screening and, if the work is suitable, forwards it to several referees. Reviewers provide structured feedback on the study design, data analysis, interpretation, and relevance, and may request clarifications or revisions. Based on the reviews, the manuscript can be accepted, accepted with revisions, or rejected. Some journals use single-blind, double-blind, or open peer review, with varying levels of reviewer anonymity and feedback transparency.

Fagfællebedømmelse is widely seen as a cornerstone of scholarly credibility, helping readers gauge reliability and enabling researchers to build on solid foundations. It can improve manuscripts through constructive critique and provide a signal of quality to readers and funders. However, the process has limitations, including potential reviewer biases, publication bias toward positive results, long review times, and uneven quality of reviews. Not all outputs are peer-reviewed; preprints and grey literature may circulate without formal evaluation, and some journals experiment with alternative review models.

Overall, fagfællebedømte works are considered to carry greater credibility in academic discourse, while recognizing the ongoing debates about equal access, transparency, and inclusivity in the review process.