Skip to Main Content

HU 3900: Inquiry Seminar - Global Cities: Journal Articles

Peer Reviewed or Refeered

What are "peer-reviewed" or "refereed" journals?

A peer-reviewed journal is a respected academic publication. Before articles are published within these types of journals, they are sent by the editors of the journal to other scholars in the field ("peers"), often anonymously, to get feedback on the quality of the scholarship, review research methods, as well as relevance or importance to the field. The article may be accepted, often with revisions suggested, or rejected for publication.  

Peer-reviewed journals are highly respected, and researchers wish to have their works published in them. Many often have low acceptance rates.


To find peer reviewed articles within Summon (the ALL tab on the library homepage), select the filters for "Peer-Review" and "Journal Article."

Databases for Peer-Reviewed Articles

Only Finding a Citation? Get the Full Text

Within most databases, click on the FullTextFinder  link to get options for obtaining the full text of the article.

Filter & Follow Up

  • Scan results: use subject headings/descriptors, keywords, phrases found to expand search
  • Scrutinize article titles, number of pages, and journal title
  • Browse promising abstract and conclusion sections of long studies
  • Bibliographies can clue you in on the value of the article as well
  • Find an interesting author? Search for more articles by that author.
  • Notice an agency, association or expert mentioned in an article? Follow up.