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Jun 8 2009, 8:08 PM EDT (current) mhight
Oct 10 2008, 12:02 PM EDT mhight 1 word added, 1 word deleted

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Here are five ways to tell whether a journal article is scholarly or peer reviewed.


  1. On the databases search page, check the "scholarly or peer reviewed" search box
  2. They usually have an extensive reference and or citation section. (example)
  3. Many scholarly journal titles start with "The Journal of..."
  4. Look in the bibliography of a book or article you know is scholarly, and you will find the titles of other scholarly material
  5. Find the journal's home page on the web and read about the journal. Do the publishers identify the publication as scholarly? (Should you believe them?)

Five Ways to tell that a journal article is NOT scholarly or peer reviewed

  1. No author is listed
  2. There is no bibliography or reference list
  3. If the author is listed, there is no information given about him/her
  4. The article is very short
  5. The source of the article is a newspaper or popular magazine title

Search hint for finding some publications in your area of interest:

Search the University Library catalog using your subject term, and the word "periodicals.
Examples: