I think when lay people say "peer reviewed research" they mean it as a metanym for "the scientific consensus as established by empirical research and vigorous d

I think when lay people say "peer reviewed research" they mean it as a metanym for "the scientific consensus as established by empirical research and vigorous debate," which isn't absolute fact to be sure, but is about as sturdy a foundation as you can hope for. I think I know more about peer review and retractions than most people - and I know next to nothing.