Life Skills
Peer Review
Research can feel like wading through a sea of information—but how do you know what to trust? This video explains the peer review process and why articles published in peer-reviewed journals are among the most credible sources you can use. Watch to learn how experts ensure quality and why peer-reviewed content stands out from the rest.
What's About
When you’re researching a topic, not all sources are created equal. This video introduces students to the concept of peer review—a system that helps separate trustworthy research from unreliable or biased information.
The story begins by acknowledging a common frustration: information overload. It then introduces peer-reviewed journals as a filter between new research and the public. These journals act as gatekeepers, ensuring that only high-quality studies make it through.
To illustrate how peer review works, we meet Dimitri and Denise, two researchers studying soil quality. After submitting their findings to a scientific journal, their work is reviewed by a panel of anonymous experts in their field. These peers carefully assess the study’s methods and conclusions to determine whether the article meets strict standards of quality and credibility.
The result? A trustworthy publication that has been vetted by professionals. Unlike blog posts or random online articles, peer-reviewed content goes through a rigorous process that prioritizes accuracy and integrity. The video ends by encouraging students to seek out these sources to save time and ensure their work is based on solid, credible information.
The story begins by acknowledging a common frustration: information overload. It then introduces peer-reviewed journals as a filter between new research and the public. These journals act as gatekeepers, ensuring that only high-quality studies make it through.
To illustrate how peer review works, we meet Dimitri and Denise, two researchers studying soil quality. After submitting their findings to a scientific journal, their work is reviewed by a panel of anonymous experts in their field. These peers carefully assess the study’s methods and conclusions to determine whether the article meets strict standards of quality and credibility.
The result? A trustworthy publication that has been vetted by professionals. Unlike blog posts or random online articles, peer-reviewed content goes through a rigorous process that prioritizes accuracy and integrity. The video ends by encouraging students to seek out these sources to save time and ensure their work is based on solid, credible information.
What it Matters
When conducting research, choosing credible sources is essential—and peer-reviewed journals are some of the most reliable tools available. This video shows learners how peer review works behind the scenes to ensure accuracy and why these articles deserve special trust.
You’ll be able to:
- Understand why trustworthy information is critical to good research.
- Recognize how peer-reviewed journals serve as filters for credible content.
- Describe the peer review process and how it evaluates research articles.
- Identify how peer-reviewed sources differ from blogs, news articles, or books.
- Confidently select peer-reviewed articles as strong sources in your own work.
You’ll be able to:
- Understand why trustworthy information is critical to good research.
- Recognize how peer-reviewed journals serve as filters for credible content.
- Describe the peer review process and how it evaluates research articles.
- Identify how peer-reviewed sources differ from blogs, news articles, or books.
- Confidently select peer-reviewed articles as strong sources in your own work.
Part o the course: Smarter Search
Cut through the noise with critical thinking skills. Learn how to spot credible sources, detect bias, and navigate academic research with confidence.
View course