How to Know if an Article Is Peer-Reviewed: Quick Checks for Trusted Academic Sources

How to know if an article is peer-reviewed is a question every serious student and researcher should ask before citing a source. Peer-reviewed articles are trusted because they've undergone rigorous evaluation by experts in the field. This vetting process ensures that the research is accurate, credible, and suitable for academic use. But how can you be sure an article is peer-reviewed—especially when using platforms like Google Scholar, PubMed, JSTOR, or ScienceDirect?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through fast, practical methods to identify peer-reviewed content, no matter where you’re searching. You'll also learn how to spot peer-reviewed and empirical studies, use databases like Scopus and ResearchGate effectively, and avoid unverified sources.

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What Is a Peer-Reviewed Article?

Peer-reviewed articles (also known as scholarly or refereed articles) are research papers reviewed by independent experts before publication. These reviewers assess the paper’s methodology, findings, originality, and relevance. The goal is to ensure academic integrity and eliminate errors or bias.

Unlike blog posts, opinion pieces, editorials, or secondary sources (not necessarily peer reviewed), peer-reviewed research follows a formal structure and is typically published in reputable academic journals.

How to know if an article is scholarly or Peer-Reviewed?

A scholarly article is a formal piece of original research, written by subject matter experts and published in academic journals. Before publication, these articles typically undergo a peer review process—where other scholars in the field examine the manuscript to assess its methodology, accuracy, and overall contribution to the discipline.

To determine whether an article is both scholarly and peer-reviewed, ask yourself:

• Was it published in a peer-reviewed journal?
  You can search the journal's name online or on databases like Scopus or Ulrichsweb to see if it uses peer review in its editorial process.
• Is the author affiliated with a credible academic or research institution?
  Scholarly articles typically include author credentials and institutional affiliations. A quick search of the author's name and their organization can verify their expertise.
• Does the article use standard academic headings?
  Look for section headings like ​Methods​, ​Results​, ​Discussion​, or ​Conclusion​. These often indicate the article involves original, empirical research.
• Are there numerous citations or a reference list?
  Legitimate scholarly work will cite many sources—usually other peer-reviewed studies. A robust reference list is a strong indicator of research depth.
• Are there research elements like charts, tables, or terms like “sample size,” “experiment,” or “investigation”?
  The presence of such features, especially in the abstract, suggests the paper is reporting on original research.

Easy Ways to identify If An Article is Peer Reviewed

1. If you located the article through OneSearch,it will have a peer-reviewed icon：
   

2. You can check the journal’s peer-review status by searching its name in Ulrichsweb: Global Serials Directory (formerly known as Ulrich’s Periodical Directory). Simply enter the journal title into the search bar and locate the correct version in the results—be aware that multiple formats may exist, such as print, online, or microfilm, and sometimes even different journals share the same title.

   If you see a referee shirt icon to the left of the journal’s name, that’s your confirmation that the journal is peer-reviewed (also referred to as refereed).

   
   image source:SJSU

Characteristics of Peer-Reviewed Articles:

• Structured sections: abstract, methods, results, conclusion
• Extensive citations and references
• Author affiliations with academic institutions
• Submission, revision, and acceptance dates
• Published in reputable journals indexed by Scopus, Web of Science, etc.

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How to Know if an Article Is Peer Reviewed on Google Scholar

Google Scholar doesn't offer a direct peer-review filter. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck guessing.

Here’s how to check:

• Search for the journal name (not the article) on Google.
• Visit the journal's homepage and look for keywords like “peer-reviewed,” “refereed,” or “double-blind review.”
• Use Ulrichsweb (if you have university access) to verify if the journal is peer-reviewed.

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How to Know if an Article Is Peer Reviewed on PubMed

PubMed indexes thousands of medical and biomedical articles. While not all entries are peer-reviewed, those listed under MEDLINE are.

Here’s how to identify them:

• Stick to articles tagged as "Indexed for MEDLINE"
• Click on the journal title in the article record to view its review policy
• Use PMC (PubMed Central) to find free full-text peer-reviewed studies

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How to Know if an Article Is Peer Reviewed on JSTOR

JSTOR provides access to journals, books, and primary sources, many of which are scholarly.

Steps to verify:

• Use Advanced Search and check the box for “Articles” under “Item Type”
• Most journal articles on JSTOR are peer-reviewed, but double-check via the journal’s homepage or Ulrichsweb

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How to Know if an Article Is Peer Reviewed on ScienceDirect

ScienceDirect hosts peer-reviewed journals published by Elsevier.

To identify peer-reviewed content:

• Look for the **"Article type"**​: research articles, reviews, and short communications are peer-reviewed
• Each journal page has an "Guide for Authors" or “About this Journal” section describing its peer-review process

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How to Know if an Article Is Peer Reviewed on Web of Science

Web of Science is a trusted index of high-impact academic journals.

To verify peer-reviewed content:

• Search for your article, then click the journal title link
• The database only indexes reputable, peer-reviewed journals, making it a reliable source by default

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How to Know if an Article Is Peer Reviewed on Scopus

Scopus includes only peer-reviewed literature, but it’s still wise to confirm:

• Click on the journal’s title in the article record
• Check the "Source details" for confirmation of peer-review policies
• Use the Scopus Journal Metrics section to assess journal credibility

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How to Know if an Article Is Peer Reviewed on ResearchGate

ResearchGate is a social platform for academics to share research, but ​not all uploaded content is peer-reviewed​.

How to verify:

• Look for the original publication source linked on the article page
• Follow that link to the journal's official site and confirm its review process
• ResearchGate is helpful for finding preprints and networking, but always cross-check sources before citing

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How to Know if an Article Is Peer Reviewed and Empirical

Empirical articles present ​original research data​, not just reviews or theoretical analysis.

Key features:

• Abstract and Introduction
• Methods and Materials
• Results and Data
• Discussion and Conclusion

An article can be both ​peer-reviewed and empirical​, which makes it ideal for evidence-based writing. Use filters in databases like PsycINFO, ERIC, or PubMed to target empirical research.

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How to Find Peer Reviewed Articles Quickly

Here’s a recap of the best ways to find and verify peer-reviewed sources:

Platform	Peer-Reviewed Filter	Notes
Google Scholar	❌	Use Ulrichsweb or journal websites
PubMed	✅ (MEDLINE)	Check indexing and article tags
JSTOR	⚠️ Partial	Use “Advanced Search” + journal checks
ScienceDirect	✅	Focus on research articles
Web of Science	✅	Peer-reviewed by default
Scopus	✅	Confirm via journal page
ResearchGate	❌	Check external journal links
Ulrichsweb	✅	Use to verify “Refereed” status

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Conclusion

Now you know how to tell if an article is peer-reviewed across major platforms. Whether you're using Google Scholar, PubMed, or JSTOR, take the time to verify before citing. It’s a small step that adds big credibility to your work.