A peer-reviewed article, also called scholarly or academic, is an article reviewed by experts in the field before publication to ensure accuracy and quality. These articles are highly reliable for academic work and help students understand expert research methods, enhancing critical thinking and professional knowledge.
Author: Written by experts in the field, often with academic credentials and university affiliations.
Audience: Intended for scholars, researchers, and students; uses specialized terminology.
References: Includes in-text citations and a reference list (often labeled References or Bibliography).
Abstract: Contains a brief summary of the article’s content at the beginning.
Graphics: May include charts, graphs, and tables to present data.
Information Literacy is the ability to:
Source: Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education
A website’s ending (.gov, .edu, .org, .com) shows who runs it and can hint at the reliability of its information
.gov - U.S. government agency
.edu - Educational institution (school, college, or university)
.org - Nonprofit organizations (medical or research societies, advocacy groups)
.com - Commercial websites (businesses and pharmaceutical companies)
Tip: Avoid websites without identifiable authors unless they come from reputable institutions (e.g., university, credible news outlets, government agency, or well-known nonprofits). Use caution with sites like Wikipedia in academic writing—content can be changed by anyone and it should not be used in academic writing.