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W.B. Ray IB High School

This guide was created to help student visitors to Bell Library navigate library resources and make the most of their time in the library.

The Information Timeline

The information timeline is the process in which information changes over time. An event happens and the information timeline begins!

This may also be a useful way to look at different resources that you'd find online and in libraries.

Typically as the timeline progresses from newest (left) to oldest (right) it also progresses from free to pay-to-access. To find peer-reviewed articles, typically you need access to an academic library's databases, but Google Scholar gives some free online access.

The information timeline: social media, news, magazines and blogs, scholarly and peer reviewed journal articles, and books

The format of information can make an item more or less suitable because of the process it went through to be published.

What's Peer Review?

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.

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.

The best place to start your search is in a library database.

Strategy #1 - Use Library Quick Search or Library Database Filters to Limit to Peer-reviewed Articles

Filters most commonly look like checkboxes under the main search box or on the side of the screen. 

Strategy #2 - Use a Database that Only Contains Peer-Reviewed Articles

JSTOR is an example of a database that only contains content from peer-reviewed articles. 

Strategy #3 - Use Google Scholar 

Google Scholar is a good choice if you don't have access to an academic library.