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Peer Review

Using a database's information to see if an article is peer reviewed.

Using Ulrich's Web to see if an article is peer reviewed

What is "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 insures that the research described in a journal's articles is sound and of high quality.

Also, peer review can be single-blind (meaning that the reviewers know who wrote the article), or double-blind (meaning that the reviewers do not know who wrote the article). Double-blind peer review is designed to increase objectivity in the review process.

Limiting to just peer reviewed articles

Each database is different. Many databases do not allow you to search for only peer reviewed items.

However, some databases available through GALILEO do give you the option to search for only peer reviewed items:

This is a search for "stem cells" in the Academic Search Premier database. It shows that the option "Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals" has been selected.

Other databases separate results so that you can look at only peer reviewed items:

This is a search for "stem cells" in the CSA Natural Sciences database. It shows that there is a "Peer-Reviewed Journals" tab that can be selected to display only peer reviewed articles.

Using a database's information to see if an article is peer reviewed.

Again, each database is different. Some databases will allow you to click on the Publication Title or Source. This will often show whether an item is peer reviewed:

This is a detail record for an article in Academic Search Premier. It shows that you can select the "Source" (in this case Toxicology in Vitro) to see details about that source.

This is the detail record for the source Toxicology in Vitro. It shows that the next to "Peer Reviewed" is the option "yes." Therefore, we know that this journal is peer reviewed.

Using Ulrich's Web to see if an article is peer reviewed.

You can search in Ulrich's Web to see if the article is Referreed (Peer Reviewed).

First, click on the Ulrich’s Web link available here or from the Library and Information Science Subject Guide.

Then, from the Quick Search menu, choose Title (Exact), type in the Journal Title or Source in which the article appears, and then click on Submit.

Searching by exact title in Ulrich's Web

Next, look at the record for that journal. If it has a small referee's shirt next to the title, that means that the journal is refereed (peer reviewed).

The location of the

For further help: Scholarly Journals vs. Trade Magazines vs. Popular Magazines

Ask Us (Chat Now), Tell Us about the Library web site. This document last modified Thursday, 05-Feb-2009 11:51:12 EST Staff