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STAT 1380- Dr. Lesser

Information literacy for Dr. Lesser's STAT 1380

Is It Peer Reviewed and How Do I Know?

Peer Review is a process that gives an article more credibility. It's quality control!

Researcher submits her paper to Relevant Journal. Editor send it out to Experts A, B, and C. The Experts then give feedback: was the methodology appropriate for what Researcher is trying to do? were the conclusions reasonable from the results? The author receives feedback and revision suggestions from the editor and peer reviewers and makes corrections and adjustments before the article is published.

 

If you still have questions, ask a librarian.

First things first: not all articles can be peer-reviewed. If the article in question is any of the following, it is not peer-reviewed:

  • Book Review
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Letter From the Editor
  • Announcements
  • Interview

You should check to see if the periodical/ magazine/ journal your article is from even publishes peer-reviewed articles to begin with.

Search for the periodical/ magazine/ journal in Ulrichsweb. If it's peer-reviewed, you'll see this refereed icon. (Refereeing is sometimes used as a synonym for peer review).

If the publication isn't listed in Ulrichsweb, look it up in DOAJ.

If you're still not sure, ask a librarian.

Did you know a lot of databases that have peer-reviewed articles let you filter your search to just peer-reviewed articles?

Look for options and filters like these:

 

If you're still not sure, ask a librarian.

Evaluating Sources

INFORMATION FROM WEBSITES: ONLY SETTLE FOR THE BEST >>>DON’T SETTLE FOR OUTDATED, BIASED, OR INACCURATE INFORMATION >>>JUDGE A WEBSITE BY THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES, THEN USE YOUR BEST JUDGEMENT

Check out the tabs in this box ^^^ for how to attack each part of the CRAAP Test.

The video below gives a nice overview of the whole thing.

If you still have questions, ask a librarian.

CURRENCY: the timeliness of the information o When was the information published or posted? o Has the information been revised or updated? o Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well? o Are other links on the page broken?

If you still have questions, ask a librarian.

RELEVANCE: the information’s ability to answer your questions & meet your needs o Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? o Who is the intended audience? o Is the information at an appropriate level (not too elementary or advanced for your needs)? o Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use? o Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

If you still have questions, ask a librarian.

AUTHORITY: the creator of the information o Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? o What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations? o Is the author qualified to write on the topic? o Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address? o Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?  examples: .com, .edu, .gov, .org

If you still have questions, ask a librarian.

ACCURACY: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information o Where does the information come from? o Is the information supported by evidence? o Has the information been reviewed or refereed? o Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge? o Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion? o Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors- evidence of carelessness?

If you still have questions, ask a librarian.

PURPOSE: the reason the information was created o What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade? (the purpose will affect how+how much information is delivered)  Check the URL for clues (.com, .edu, .gov, .org) o Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear? (check “About” pages on the website) o Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda (which can look like a fact)? o Does the point of view appear objective/unbiased/impartial? o Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

If you still have questions, ask a librarian.

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