Answered By: Linda Neyer
Last Updated: Nov 11, 2022     Views: 166

To find a peer-reviewed journal article, use the Search Article tab (third tab in the large search box on the Library home page) and check the box for 'Scholarly (Peer Reviewed)' journals:

You can also limit your search to scholarly, peer-reviewed articles in most library databases, like Academic Search Ultimate, a large multi-disciplinary database, and some databases, like Web of Science, include only peer-reviewed journals.

Two other methods to tell if a journal is peer-reviewed:

  • Search for the journal home page, using a web search engine. Peer-reviewed journals post information labeled 'Author Guidelines' or 'Author Instructions' for people who want to submit an article for publication. This information explains how the journal reviews articles, like this statement on the Journal of Educational Measurement webpage:

    Review Procedures. Each manuscript submitted to JEM will be screened for consistency with the editorial policies of the journal. If found to be appropriate for JEM, manuscripts will be sent, with author identification removed, to at least three qualified reviewers. Upon receiving the recommendations of reviewers, the Editor will report a decision to the author, including reasons for the decision and the comments of reviewers. (NOTE: Reviewers remain anonymous to the author. Each reviewer receives a copy of the Editor's letter to the author and the other reviewers' comments. The review process typically takes two to three months, but exceptional cases may require more or less time.)

  • Search a database called Ulrich's Periodicals Directory for the journal title. If a journal is peer-reviewed, an image of a referee shirt will display next to the journal name:

 

As always, if you have questions, Ask a Librarian.

 

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