Is this article peer-reviewed?
Peer-reviewed articles are usually found in scholarly journals while popular or general articles often are found in popular magazines.
Scholarly Journals | Criteria | Popular Magazines |
---|---|---|
|
Type of source |
|
Lengthy, in depth. Often includes tables, graphs, statistics. Serious appearance, not heavily graphic. Generally includes abstract and citation list. Advertisements aimed at the scholarly audience it serves. Purpose of the articles is usually to present original research or experiments. |
Length and appearance of articles |
Shorter, overview-type articles. Popular style. Glossy format. Attractive covers. Lots of photographs. Does not usually include abstract or citation list. Includes many advertisements aimed at a general audience. Purpose of the articles is to entertain the reader. |
Scholars, experts. Credentials always included. Peer reviewed, refereed or juried: critically evaluated by a knowledge panel of experts. Usually published by a scholarly or university press. |
Authorship/Editorial |
Reporters, staff writers. Credentials not usually included. Reviewed by the editorial staff, not subject experts. Articles are sometimes unsigned. Usually published by a commercial publisher. |
Includes words like: review, journal, research, quarterly, studies, transactions, proceedings, archives. | Title | Often included the word magazine |
Technical, likely to include the jargon of the field. Assumes some background knowledge from the reader. | Language | Non-technical, accessible by broad audience |
Traditional structure usually requires: abstract, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion, references | Article structure | No specific structure. |
Published bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. | Frequency | Published daily, weekly or monthly. |
Professors, researchers, professionals, experts, students; people who are already interested in the topic. | Audience | General public, trying to attract an audience. |
What is a Peer-Reviewed Article?
A peer-reviewed article is one that has been reviewed by a body of “peers:” experts in the same field as the writer.
They are sometimes called “refereed” and are published in peer-reviewed (sometimes called academic or scholarly) journals.
When in doubt, ask your professor as they are the experts in their fields.
How to tell if an article is peer-reviewed
Criteria | Peer-Reviewed / Scholarly | Popular / General |
---|---|---|
Length or Appearance of Source |
Lengthy, in depth. Often includes tables, graphs, statistics. Serious appearance, not heavily graphic. Generally includes abstract and citation list. Purpose of the articles is usually to present original research or experiments. |
Shorter, overview-type articles. Popular style.
Does not usually include abstract or citation list. Includes many advertisements aimed at a general audience. Purpose of the articles is more to entertain. |
Author or Editor |
Scholars, experts. Credentials often included (PhD, MD, MPH, etc.) Peer reviewed, refereed or juried: critically evaluated by a knowledge panel of experts. |
Reporters, staff writers.
Credentials not usually included. Reviewed by the editorial staff, not subject experts. Articles are sometimes unsigned. |
Title | Includes words like: review, journal, research, quarterly, studies, transactions, proceedings, archives. | Often includes the word magazine. |
Language | Technical, likely to include the jargon of the field. Assumes some background knowledge from the reader. | Non-technical, accessible by broad audience |
Article Structure | Traditional structure usually requires: abstract, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion, references | No specific structure. |
Audience | Professors, researchers, professionals, experts, students; people who are already interested in the topic. | General public, trying to attract an audience. |
Examples |
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) The Political Quarterly |
National Geographic Time Magazine |
URL: https://library.brockport.edu/english