Skip to Main Content

GCC Library | Using Peer-Reviewed Sources

This guide outlines the library's Using Peer-Reviewed Sources Zoom workshop.

Peer-reviewed, Scholarly Sources

Scholarly journals are published by scholars--people who have the highest college degree in their field--for other scholars to read. Before the article is published, it undergoes a process of peer review, during which *other* scholar specialists (the author's peers) review the article and make suggestions for improvement. It's a strenuous process, so when something is published in a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal, it is considered by college professors to be extremely reliable. Watch the video below on Understanding Peer Review.

Here are some clues/characteristics of peer-reviewed articles (but not all!)...

  • They have an abstract, a summary of the article at the beginning or in the details
  • They are very long in page number, often 5-40 pages
  • They have a long list of citations or references at the end of the paper.
  • They may include charts or graphs--no colorful advertisements or photographs.
  • They may have a DOI number (digital object identifier) assigned to them
  • They have section headings like...
    • Introduction [Strategic reading tip: Read this section to start!]
    • Methodology
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Conclusion  [Strategic reading tip: Read this section to start!]

Where to find peer-reviewed articles?

Use one of the following databases:

- ProQuest

On the Advanced Search screen, put a check in the box that says "Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals" or "Peer reviewed," like this...

How to limit results to peer-reviewed articles using ProQuest's advanced search screen.
 

 

Glendale Community College | 1500 North Verdugo Road, Glendale, California 91208 | Tel: 818.240.1000  
GCC Home  © 2024 - Glendale Community College. All Rights Reserved.