Your lecturer may require you to find peer-reviewed journal articles. Here are some tips on finding out if your journal is a peer-reviewed journal:
There are 4 ways to check for peer-reviewed status:
- does the database allow you to restrict your search to peer reviewed publications (like Ebsco)
- does the database offer a way to check by clicking the journal title, or a browse title link (like APA-FT)
- search a specialised database such as Ulrichsweb or Serials Directory for the journal title. In Ulrichsweb you are hoping to see a little black and white striped referee shirt
, in Serials Directory you are hoping for a statement: "Peer Reviewed: Yes".
- search the web for the home page of the journal. Look for an information for authors/contributors page. Does it tell authors that their work will be subject to a peer-reviewed process.
Also remember to check that your article is scholarly and not just an opinion or commentary piece that happens to be in a peer-reviewed publication. Some good indicators:
- the author gives their academic qualifications/affiliations with a university
- often there is an abstract
- substantial document - longer than 2 pages
- list of references at the end.
