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Education Research for Graduate Students: What is Peer Review?

Peer Review

"Peer review" (or "refereed") means that an article is reviewed by experts in that field before the article gets published. This means that if a scientist writes an article on stem cells, other experts on stem cells will review the article to make sure it’s of high enough quality to be published.  The peer review or referee process ensures that the research described in a journal's articles is sound and of high quality.

 

Types of Peer Review 

 

Single-blind 

  • Reviewers know who wrote the article. 

 

Double-blind

  • Reviewers do not know who wrote the article. 
  • Designed to increase objectivity in the review process. 

Searching for Peer-Reviewed Articles

Many databases available through GALILEO give you the option to search for only peer reviewed items.  

 

For example: 

  • Enter your search terms (keywords)
  • On the Search Results page click the Peer Reviewed button

Screenshot of search box and limiter options in Discover

 

 

 

 

In EBSCOHost databases, articles from Peer reviewed journals are labeled.

 Screenshot of search result in Discover with Peer reviewed label

 

Using Ulrich's to Check Peer Review Status

  • Once in Ulrich's, enter the title of the journal into the search box
    • Do not search for the article title. If you are unsure which title is the journal title, ask a librarian
  • Click the magnifying glass icon
  • Look in the search results for the correct journal title 
    • Some journals have very similar names, librarians can help you find the correct journal.
  • If the journal is peer-reviewed there will be a black and white icon next to the title
    • You can click on the journal title to see more information. Look for the Refereed under the Basic Description. If it says Refereed and Yes, then the journal is peer-reviewed.

 

Screenshot from Ulrich's. A red circle surrounds a referee shirt with a line and text that says This title is refereed (peer reviewed). There is a second red circle around a corresponding blank space with the words This title is not refereed (peer reviewed)

 

Notes:

  • Ulrich's uses the word Refereed.
    • Refereed is the same as peer-reviewed. 
  • When a journal is peer-reviewed, it means that most of the articles published in it are peer-reviewed. Other content, such as editorials, letter to the editor, and responses to previously published articles, are not peer-reviewed.