To tell if an article is peer-reviewed, you mainly need to verify whether the journal publishing it employs a peer review process. Here are key methods to determine this:

• Check the journal title in trusted databases : Use Ulrichsweb (Ulrich's Periodical Directory) to look up the journal. If it is peer-reviewed, it will be marked as "refereed" or show a referee jersey icon

. Many academic libraries provide access to Ulrichsweb.

• Look for peer review indicators in library databases : Some databases (like Academic Search Complete or JSTOR) allow filtering for peer-reviewed journals or tag articles as peer-reviewed. If the article appears in such filtered results, it is peer-reviewed

• Visit the journal’s official website : Check the "About," "Information for Authors," or "Submission Guidelines" sections. Peer-reviewed journals typically describe their review process there, such as sending submitted articles to expert reviewers before acceptance

• Examine the article’s features : Peer-reviewed articles usually have structured sections like abstract, methodology, results, discussion, and references. They cite sources extensively and are written by experts affiliated with academic institutions

• Use library search tools that mark peer-reviewed content : Some library catalogs or search engines display a peer-reviewed icon next to articles from refereed journals

• Consult a librarian if uncertain : Librarians can help verify peer review status, especially if you only have a PDF or limited information

Note that not all content in peer-reviewed journals is peer-reviewed (e.g., editorials, book reviews), so verifying the article type is important

. In summary, the best approach is to identify the journal’s peer review status through Ulrichsweb or the journal’s website, use database filters for peer-reviewed journals, and check the article’s scholarly features. When in doubt, seek assistance from a librarian.