What does "peer reviewed" mean?
If an article is peer reviewed, it was reviewed by scholars who are experts in related academic or professional fields before it was published. Those scholars assessed the quality of the article's research, as well as its overall contribution to the literature in their field.
See our FAQ entry "How do I know if the paper I found is peer-reviewed?" to learn more about how you can verify whether an article went through a review process.
Using the Library's databases to find peer-reviewed articles
Many of the Library's databases allow you to filter out articles from journals that don't use a peer-review process. Here's where you can find the option in three main search tools: EBSCO, ProQuest, and SmartSearch.
SmartSearch. You can select the Peer Reviewed Articles option underneath the SmartSearch searchbar.
Or, you can click on the Peer-Reviewed Journals link on the left-hand side of your search results list.
ProQuest. You'll find the Peer Reviewed option underneath ProQuest's basic search searchbar, or on the Advanced Search page.
You can also click on the Peer-Reviewed Journals link on the left-hand side of your search results list.
EBSCO. You can select the Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals tick-box in EBSCO's Advanced Search menu, or on the left-hand side of your search results list.
Unfortunately, there are some databases (such as JSTOR) that won't allow you to search for peer-reviewed articles specifically. When in doubt, get in touch with the Library; we can help you verify whether a a source is peer-reviewed.
Need more help with your research?
If you're just starting your research and would like more information about how to use the databases effectively (and find many more relevant results!), try one of our research tutorials, such as Roadmap to Research. Or, talk to a librarian using our chat service! We're here to help guide you to the best resources, and show you how to use them.
