How do I find scholarly/peer-reviewed articles?

Five Things to Know

Peer-reviewed articles often include an abstract, and almost always include a list of references at the end.
Peer-reviewed articles can be found in the library, but they can also be found on the web.
The library website has access to subject-specific Library Databases you can use to search for articles.
Click the “Library Databases” button on the library website, and click the “All Subjects” drop-down to find databases specific to your subject area.
Not all articles in a library database are peer-reviewed. Look for the “peer-reviewed” box on the left side of your results page to limit your results.

Google Scholar and Academic Search Premier are both great sources for peer-reviewed articles on all subjects.
Many databases are designed for just one subject; for example, APA PsycInfo contains only psychology articles. If you can’t find an article, it might help to try a different database.
If you’re not seeing many search results, try simplifying your search. Often, the fewer keywords you use, the better.
Popular, easy-to-read blogs or articles you find on the open web will often link to a peer-reviewed article. Follow the links!
Articles in library databases often have a PDF Full-Text button. If you only see a button that says “Get This Article” – click it! It might take you to a link to the article, or you can request an Interlibrary Loan.

This resource was last updated on January 25, 2023

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