Research Guides: Evaluating Information: What is peer review?

“A process by which something proposed (as for research or publication) is evaluated by a group of experts in the appropriate field.” -- Merriam-Webster

“It acts as a filter to ensure that only high quality research is published." -- Kelly, Sadeghieh, & Adeli (2014)

1. Author submits a draft of a research paper to a peer-reviewed journal.

2. Editor reviews the research paper.

3. If the paper meets the journal’s standards, it is given to peer reviewers, a panel of experts on the topic.

4. Reviewers recommend that the draft paper be rejected or approved for publication, usually with revisions.

5. Editor makes a decision based on reviewers’ report. The paper is rejected or sent back to the author for revision.

6. Author revises the paper and resubmits another draft to the editor. This process can take several months and even years.

Sources:

Kelly, J., Sadeghieh, T., & Adeli, K. (2014). Peer review in scientific publications: Benefits, critiques, and a survival guide. EJIFCC, 25(3).