Check the journal’s website for its peer review policy
Look for terms like “peer reviewed,” “refereed,” or “scholarly”
Search the journal title in Ulrichsweb to see if it is refereed
Verify the journal in library databases such as JSTOR, EBSCO, or ProQuest
Check whether the article includes submission, revision, and acceptance dates
Review the journal’s editorial board and publication standards
Confirm the article appears in an academic journal, not a magazine or newspaper
Use the journal’s “About” or “Instructions for Authors” page
Search the journal in the Directory of Open Access Journals if applicable
Ask a librarian or research support staff to verify the journal