Peer Reviewed Articles go through a process in which experts in the field (the author's peers) verify that the information and research methods are up to standards. Peer reviewed articles are usually research articles or literature reviews and have certain characteristics in common.  This page has an overview on how to identify peer reviewed articles: Recognize a scholarly/peer-reviewed article. 

The journal publisher's website

If you are unsure whether or not an article is peer reviewed, you must look at the journal rather than the article. One of the best places to find out if a journal is peer-reviewed is the journal website.  Most publications have a journal website that includes information for authors about the publication process.  If you find the journal website, look for the link that says information for authors, instructions for authors, guidelines for authors or something similar.  On this page is information about whether the articles are peer reviewed.

Article found in a library database

In an Ebsco database, you will look at the detailed record of the article (you will see this when you click on the title of a search result). Then click on the Source (the name of the publication):

You will then see information about the specific journal. The last item on the list will be a simple yes or no to your question: 

Other databases may provide the same information using different words or visual cues. If you are still unsure, please give us a call, chat with us, or send us an email and a Research Librarian can help you.