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Find Peer-Reviewed Articles

A quick lesson defining peer-reviewed articles and providing tips on how to identify them.

Using Article Databases

The MJC Library subscribes to several databases providing access to peer-reviewed journals. Not only do these databases provide access to this type of material, but they allow you to limit your searches to retrieve only peer-reviewed content. Take a look at the videos on the left for step-by-step instructions on how to limit your searches on various databases.

Video Instructions for Finding Peer-Reviewed Articles

Use the videos below to see how easy it is to find academic journal articles in two of our most used databases.


Use EBSCOhost Databases to Find Academic Journal Articles

 

Searching for Academic Articles in Gale Databases

Using Google Scholar

Google Scholar Search

Google Scholar is a vertical search engine, searching only a select portion of the web. It searches across many disciplines to find journal articles, books, theses, court opinions, and content from academic publishers, professional societies, and a select academic web sites. 

Only some of the sources on Google Scholar arei available in full-text format, though you can also connect Google Scholar to the MJC Library so it will identify those sources available through the Library databases. To configure this, go to "hamburger menu" and choose Settings, then choose Library Links. You can link to the Modesto Junior College by typing it into the search box and selecting it. 

There is no way to limit to peer-reviewed journals, but you can easily search journal names to determine their status.

An MJC Librarian can help you access Google Scholar, add the MJC Library to the settings, conduct effective searches, and determine if the journal articles you find are peer reviewed.