What is the main purpose of peer review in research publishing?

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Peer review exists to ensure research is solid, credible, and meaningful before it becomes part of the scientific record. Experts in the field examine the study’s design and methods, the quality of data collection and analysis, and whether the results support the authors’ conclusions. They also look for potential biases, limitations, ethical considerations, and whether the work contributes new knowledge or significance to the area. The feedback from reviewers helps editors decide if the manuscript should be published and guides authors in revising the work to improve clarity, rigor, and impact. While a peer-reviewed article may be more likely to be read and cited, the primary purpose is to assess quality, validity, and relevance, not to determine funding or authorship details.