How to check if a source is peer-reviewed
Verify whether a journal article is peer-reviewed before citing it in academic work. Practical checks for university students.
Peer review means independent experts evaluated a manuscript before publication. University assignments usually require peer-reviewed journal articles unless specified otherwise.
Check the journal website for a stated peer-review process — look for 'about the journal', submission guidelines, and reviewer instructions.
Use your library's database filters. Many interfaces include a 'peer-reviewed' or 'scholarly' limit — apply it during search, then still verify individual papers.
Consult Ulrichsweb or similar directories for journal status and publication type. Book reviews, editorials, and letters may appear in peer-reviewed journals but are not peer-reviewed research articles.
Be wary of predatory journals that claim peer review without rigorous standards. Warning signs include rapid acceptance, unclear editorial boards, and aggressive APC emails.
Preprints (e.g. on arXiv, SSRN) are not peer-reviewed. Some fields accept preprint citation with clear labelling — check your course policy.
When in doubt, ask a subject librarian or your tutor whether a specific source meets the brief.
Where Scholise helps
Scholise focuses on scholarly literature from academic indexes. Always confirm each paper meets your assignment's source-type requirements before citing.
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