The scientific community’s interest

The scientific community’s interest in peer review has a pragmatic basis—the links between grants and the structures of scientific careers. Obtaining grants is increasingly an end in itself, rather than a means to an end. Since grants are so important for scientists, it isproper to obtain further empirical data on questions such as equity and efficiency, and to continue to improve the transparency of the process. Such research, however, can only answer short-term questions rather than the real purpose of scientific endeavours.