Types of Peer-Reviewed Articles
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Often referred to as refereed articles, peer-reviewed articles summarize the latest research on a topic, provide a critical overview of the field, and offer insight into where the field may be headed. The reviews are generally written by leaders in a field and are widely read by other researchers seeking an in-depth introduction to a particular topic. Some review articles include up to 100 primary research articles as references. While this may be the case with some publications, it’s best to check the instructions of the journal before submitting a manuscript for peer review.
Opinion articles are usually short, and present the author’s perspective on a study. They may be controversial, but should not discuss the author’s own work. Opinion peer reviewed articles but substantially edited by Nature’s editors. They should start with a preface of no more than 200 words, and end with a brief summary sentence. They are also found on the Medline and PubMed databases.
Generally speaking, peer-reviewed articles are academic publications. Because peer-reviewing is a standard method of evaluating articles, they are more likely to reflect expert opinion. For example, a paper on the psychological effects of homeschooling would have to be reviewed by a board of professional psychologists and scholars before it could be published. Unlike popular magazines, peer-reviewed articles have more authority than articles published in these publications.
Types of Peer-Reviewed Articles
Analysis articles are review-based reports that use large sets of biological data. They are peer-reviewed, but the author needs to submit a synopsis of the article through the online submission system. The author should include ‘Analysis Article’ in the title. The Careers section also accepts suggestions for articles. Careers publishes news-style reports and reviews of rapidly-moving fields of research.
While it’s not advisable to publish peer-reviewed articles, some journals experiment with making these reports public. They are publishing their reports on ScienceDirect and other platforms, so this transparency is an important part of the peer-review process. Some journals even publish the name of the author’s article-handling editor on their website. The report may also include details of the number of peer-reviewers. This transparency contributes to trust in the peer-reviewed process and enables readers to evaluate whether or not the review process is trustworthy.
Peer-review has many benefits. It helps advance research by stimulating new ideas and reading about new experimental techniques. Some reviewers seek to establish associations with prestigious journals or become part of the community and work as editors. Others view peer-reviewed articles as an opportunity to be aware of the latest research before their peers and develop new insights. Peer review is also desirable in terms of career development and can be noted on a resume.
