Skip to Main Content

How-To Research Tutorials

Introduction

How to Locate a Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Article

""

In OneSearch: 

  1. Click on the Articles tab
  2. Enter your search terms into the search box
  3. Check the box labeled Peer-Reviewed under the search box. 
  4. Click on the Search button to run the search 

 

In other databases: 

The steps are similar in other platforms or databases.  Look for boxes marked Peer-reviewed, scholarly, or scholarly/ peer-reviewed. 

 

Reading Scholarly/ Peer Reviewed Articles Strategies

You don’t have to read the entire article in order!

FIRST- Read the Abstract

If the Abstract fits within the scope of your research, read more. If it doesn't, don't bother reading the article.

NEXT- Jump down to the Discussion & Conclusions

This is the essential part of the article; it will tell you what the researchers learned.

THEN- Read the Introduction & Literature review

This will give you background and context.

FINALLY- Read the other sections.

TIP: Don’t forget to look at the References at the end. They can be helpful for building your own bibliography.

Take notes as you go. If you find a quote, write it down with the author's last name and page number that it came from. 

Think critically as you read:

  • What is already known about the this topic?
  • Do you agree with what the author is saying?
  • Does what the author says agree with other information you have found on this topic?

Clues to Peer Review

Magnifying glass

Article Title: is it long and descriptive? 

Author(s): what are the author's credentials? Are they affiliated with a university or research center?

Article Length: is the article at least 5 pages?

Sections: does the article have sections like Abstract, Introduction, Methods, and Conclusions?

References: is there lengthy reference list at the end of the article?

Common Sections

Abstract: concise summary of the research, including purpose, results & implications.

Introduction & Literature Review: Describes problem, importance of research, and previous research on the topic.

Methods: procedures or methods used to carry out research. Varies by discipline.

Results: Data collected as a result of research. Typically given in statistics and in form of tables, charts, and graphs.

Discussion: Summary of results. Implications and directions for future reserach.

References: Works cited in the paper. Useful to find relevant articles.