Peer Review

An independent assessment of the scientific merit of research by experts having knowledge of the research area equivalent to that of the performers of the work.

As defined by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine peer review is an independent and external documented critical review by a person having technical expertise in the area. It involves an in-depth critique of assumptions, calculations, extrapolations, alternate interpretations, methodology, acceptatnce criteria employed, and conclustions drawn in the original work. OMB Final Information Quality Bulleting for Peer Review (10 FR 2664) establishes that important scientific information shall be peer reviewed by qualified specialists before it is disseminated by Federal government. NNSA peer review may be conducted under formal technology readiness assessments (TRA) per the NNSA policy letter NAP-29.