Check for “peer-reviewed” or “refereed” wording on the journal website or article page
Look for a journal title that is known to publish peer-reviewed research
Find an “About,” “Editorial Policy,” or “Peer Review Process” section on the journal site
Confirm the article includes peer-review related indicators (e.g., “received,” “revised,” “accepted” dates)
Look for an editor name and/or acknowledgments to reviewers (when provided)
Verify that the article cites a formal review process or editorial review policy
Use the journal’s indexing status in reputable databases (e.g., Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed for biomedical fields)
Search the article in library databases and filter results to “peer-reviewed” (where available)
Check the publisher type: academic journals with editorial boards are more likely to be peer reviewed
Confirm the journal has an ISSN and a legitimate editorial board listed on its website
Review the journal’s credibility signals: consistent publishing history, transparent policies, and standard article formats
Be cautious with predatory journals and pay-to-publish sites that do not disclose peer review clearly
Use tools like Ulrichsweb, DOAJ (for open-access), or journal lists from reputable library guides to verify peer review claims
Cross-check with the article’s landing page: peer review information is often stated in the journal “scope” or “submission” sections
Look for “retractions,” “expressed concerns,” or “editorial notes” that may indicate formal editorial oversight (not a guarantee of peer review)