Earth and Space Science: Scientific Information

What is peer-reviewed?

Peer-reviewed or refereed articles are articles that have gone through a vigorous process of approval by a panel of experts in that particular field before publication. Through this process of selection, the idea is that these articles are considered credible sources of information and the best in the field.       

How to identify a peer-reviewed article?

To identify if an article is peer reviewed or referred you must check if the journal that the article is published in is peer-reviewed. The link provided demonstrates the steps neccessary to identify if a journal is peer reviewed by using Ulrich's International Periodical Directory.

Primary sources in the sciences are different than primary sources in the social sciences and humanities. This section defines what the difference is between a primary and secondary source with examples.  

To find scientific primary sources for your research papers, use the science databases suggested in the Journal Articles section.

What is a primary source?

Primary sources are:

• Original publication of researchers' results. Usually written up by the researchers themselves and intended for other researchers in the same field. Journal articles or conference proceedings are the classic examples of primary sources in the sciences.

What is a secondary source?

Secondary sources are:

• Any work that summarizes, anlayzes, and/or evaluates the original source of work. Technical books or review articles are secondary sources.

Flow of Scientific Information, University of Waterloo, 2007