What is a peer reviewed article?

A peer-reviewed article, also known as a scholarly or academic article, is a type of publication that has undergone a rigorous evaluation process by experts in the field before it is published. These articles are typically found in academic journals and are written by researchers, scholars, or experts in a particular discipline.

The peer-review process involves submitting an article to a journal, where it is assessed by a panel of experts who are familiar with the subject matter. These experts, often referred to as peers or referees, review the article for its quality, accuracy, methodology, and contribution to the field. They provide feedback, suggestions, and critique to the author(s) regarding the article's strengths and weaknesses.

The reviewers assess various aspects of the article, including its research design, methodology, data analysis, results, and conclusions. They also evaluate the article's adherence to ethical standards and the overall quality of its writing. Based on the reviewers' comments, the author may be asked to revise and improve the article before it can be accepted for publication.

The peer-review process serves as a quality control mechanism for scholarly publications. It helps ensure that the information presented in the article is accurate, reliable, and up-to-date. It also allows experts in the field to provide valuable feedback and critique, which can help improve the article's content and methodology.

Peer-reviewed articles are considered credible and trustworthy sources of information because they have undergone this rigorous evaluation process. They are often used by researchers, scholars, and students as references for academic work, as they provide reliable information that has been vetted by experts in the field.

Characteristics of peer reviewed article

Peer-reviewed articles possess several key characteristics that distinguish them from other types of publications. Here are some important characteristics of peer-reviewed articles:

• Adhering to a standardized structure.: Adhering to a structure means having an abstract, an introduction, a methodology, results, discussion, and references. This standard format ensures that research findings are presented in a simple, clear, accurate, and easy to understand way. Peer-reviewed research articles are also expected to meet the high standards of scholarly rigor. This includes demonstrating logical and coherent reasoning, providing a comprehensive review of the relevant literature, using appropriate citations and references, and presenting findings and interpretations that are supported by evidence.
• High focus on ensuring accurate data collection and presentation techniques: This means peer reviews focus majorly on experimental designs and rigorous analytical frameworks to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings. Rigorous methodology enhances the credibility of research and allows other scholars to replicate or build upon the study, fostering scientific progress.
• Ensuring originality of research work and findings: This is an advantage that peer reviewed articles enjoy. Most peer reviewed articles present novel insights, innovative approaches, or new perspectives on existing theories, pushing the boundaries of knowledge. By contributing original work, researchers advance their respective fields, inspiring further exploration, and debate. Such articles demonstrate critical thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and the integration of relevant literature. Scholarly rigor ensures that the research aligns with established theories, concepts, and methodologies, further validating the significance of the findings.
• Understanding the essence of peer reviewed research articles: This is crucial for PhD students and early career researchers. Peer review serves as the gatekeeper of scholarly publishing, guaranteeing the quality and credibility of research findings. By embracing the activity of reviewing peers’ articles through rigorous research methodologies, originality and scholarly rigor, academics can contribute to their respective fields and actively engage in the knowledge exchange process.
• Rigorous Evaluation: Peer-reviewed articles undergo a thorough evaluation process by experts in the field before publication. This process ensures that the article meets specific academic standards, including quality, accuracy, and methodology.
• Expert Reviewers: Peer-reviewed articles are assessed by a panel of experts, often referred to as peers or referees, who have knowledge and expertise in the subject area. These reviewers evaluate the article's content, methodology, and contribution to the field.
• Critical Feedback: Reviewers provide constructive feedback to the author(s) regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the article. They may suggest revisions, additional analysis, or clarification to enhance the article's quality and clarity.
• Research Focus: Peer-reviewed articles typically present original research findings, methodologies, or theoretical advancements in a specific discipline. They contribute new knowledge or insights to the field and are often based on empirical data or robust theoretical frameworks.
• Lengthy and Detailed: Peer-reviewed articles are usually longer and more detailed than other types of publications. They contain sections such as abstracts, literature reviews, methodology, results, discussion, and references, allowing readers to understand the research in depth.
• Citations and References: Peer-reviewed articles include a comprehensive list of references or citations that allow readers to trace the sources used in the article. This promotes transparency, enables further exploration of the topic, and provides a foundation for future research.
• Academic Journals: Peer-reviewed articles are commonly published in academic or scholarly journals associated with specific disciplines. These journals are typically recognized as reputable sources within their respective fields and follow established editorial policies.
• Credibility and Reliability: Peer-reviewed articles are regarded as credible and reliable sources of information due to the rigorous evaluation process they undergo. The review process helps ensure that the information presented is accurate, well-supported, and based on sound research methods.

It's important to note that while peer-reviewed articles are highly regarded, they are not immune to errors or biases. Therefore, it is still essential for readers to critically evaluate the content and consider multiple sources when conducting research or forming opinions.

Format of a typical peer reviewed research article

A typical peer-reviewed research article follows a structured format that allows readers to navigate through the content and understand the study in a systematic manner. While the specific sections and their order may vary slightly between disciplines and journals, here is an outline of the common format of a peer-reviewed research article:

• Title: The title succinctly describes the research topic or main finding of the study.
• Abstract: An abstract provides a brief summary of the article, highlighting the research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusions. It allows readers to quickly assess the relevance and significance of the study.
• Introduction: The introduction section provides background information on the research topic, establishes the research problem or question, and outlines the purpose and objectives of the study. It may also include a literature review to contextualize the research within existing knowledge and identify research gaps.
• Methodology: The methodology section details the research design, participants or sample size, data collection methods, instrumentation or materials used, and data analysis techniques. It provides sufficient information for readers to understand how the study was conducted and assess the validity and reliability of the findings.
• Results: The results section presents the findings of the study, often using tables, graphs, or figures to present data. It describes the outcomes of the analysis and may include statistical measures, effect sizes, or other relevant quantitative or qualitative information.
• Discussion: The discussion section interprets the results in the context of the research question, compares them with previous studies, and explores their implications. It may address limitations or weaknesses of the study, propose explanations for the findings, and suggest avenues for further research.
• Conclusion: The conclusion section summarizes the main findings, highlights their significance, and restates the study's contribution to the field. It may also offer recommendations or practical implications based on the research.
• References: The references section provides a complete list of the sources cited in the article. It follows a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) and includes the author(s), title, journal or book information, and publication date.

Some research articles may also include additional sections such as an acknowledgments section to recognize individuals or funding sources that supported the study, and a supplementary materials section to provide extra information or data that are not included in the main text.

It's important to remember that the structure and length of each section can vary depending on the journal's guidelines and the nature of the research. Researchers should always refer to the specific journal's instructions for authors when preparing their manuscripts.