What is a Peer Reviewed Article?
A peer-reviewed article is a scholarly article that has undergone evaluation by experts in the same field before it is published in an academic or professional journal. This review process, known as peer review, ensures the quality, validity, originality, and accuracy of the research.
How the Peer Review Process Works
- Submission: The author submits their manuscript to a relevant academic journal.
- Editorial Review: The journal's editor reviews the manuscript for quality and relevance to determine if it warrants peer review.
- Review by Experts: If the editor finds the manuscript suitable, it is sent to subject matter experts (peers) for review.
- Evaluation: These experts assess the manuscript for errors, research design, methodology, significance, originality, and logical reasoning.
- Feedback: The reviewers provide feedback to the author, suggesting revisions, clarifications, or additional research as needed.
- Re-review (if necessary): Sometimes revisions may be sent back to the reviewers for additional approval after changes have been made.
- Final Approval: Once reviewers are satisfied with the revisions, the article is approved for publication.
Purpose of Peer-Reviewed Articles
Peer-reviewed articles serve as a foundation for academic research by ensuring:
- The research is methodologically sound.
- Findings are accurate and reliable.
- The article adds meaningful knowledge to the field of study.
These articles are often used by researchers, academics, and professionals to inform their own studies, research, or practices because they are considered credible and evidence-based. Peer-reviewed articles are commonly published in academic journals across disciplines such as the sciences, social sciences, medicine, education, and humanities.
Not everyone uses the term "peer reviewed" to describe this kind of article. You might hear other words like:
- Academic
- Scholarly
- Refereed
If you aren't sure whether you need peer reviewed articles for an assignment, check with your professor!
Common Characteristics of Peer Reviewed Articles:
- Originality and Contribution: Peer-reviewed articles contribute new knowledge, insights, or perspectives to the field. They focus on original research, theoretical development, or innovative approaches.
- Data and Evidence-Based: They are supported by evidence derived from systematic research, experiments, or analysis. This allows other researchers to verify and build upon their findings.
- Technical terminology / complex use of language: Authors tend to use technical terms and complex language because the audience is largely other scholars in the field..
- Citations and References: They include thorough references to prior research, demonstrating the author’s understanding of the field and situating the research within existing literature.
- Objective and Unbiased: Good peer-reviewed articles maintain objectivity, presenting findings and interpretations without personal bias. They acknowledge limitations or conflicting evidence where appropriate.
