Answered By: Brian Richards Last Updated: Sep 21, 2026 Views: 9
Peer review is a quality-control process used by many scholarly journals before research is published.
When a researcher submits an article to a scholarly journal, the article is evaluated by other experts in the same field. These reviewers examine the research methods, evidence, analysis, and conclusions to determine whether the work meets academic standards.
How Peer Review Works
- A researcher submits an article to a scholarly journal.
- The journal editor reviews the submission.
- Experts in the subject area evaluate the article.
- Reviewers provide recommendations and feedback.
- The author may revise the article based on reviewer comments.
- The journal decides whether to publish the work.
The process is designed to improve the quality and reliability of published research.
Why Is Peer Review Important?
Peer review helps ensure that research is:
- Based on appropriate evidence and research methods
- Accurately reported and documented
- Evaluated by subject experts
- Contributing meaningfully to scholarly conversations
Although peer review does not guarantee that a source is perfect, it provides an additional level of scrutiny that is not typically present in many popular publications or websites.
How Can I Recognize a Peer-Reviewed Article?
Peer-reviewed articles often include:
- An abstract or summary
- References or a bibliography
- Research methods or a description of the study
- Data, evidence, and analysis
- Author credentials and affiliations
Many library databases also allow you to limit your search results to peer-reviewed publications.
Are All Scholarly Sources Peer Reviewed?
No.
Many scholarly journal articles are peer reviewed, but some scholarly publications use different review processes. Scholarly books, conference proceedings, reports, and other academic materials may not always undergo formal peer review.
If your instructor specifically requires peer-reviewed sources, be sure to verify that the source meets that requirement.
Do Researchers Still Evaluate Peer-Reviewed Sources?
Yes.
Peer review is one indicator of quality, but researchers should still evaluate sources critically. Consider the author's expertise, the quality of the evidence presented, the publication date, and how the source relates to your research question.
Need Help?
Librarians at the Brother Edmond Drouin Library can help you locate peer-reviewed articles, use database filters effectively, and determine whether a source meets your assignment requirements.