Peer-reviewed (or refereed) journals and articles have many of the following characteristics:

• Concerned with academic study.
• Contain extensive bibliographies or cited works.
• Written and reviewed by experts in the field.
• Author's credentials and institutional affiliation are included.
• Includes an abstract at the beginning of the article.
• Reports on original research.
• Reviews and evaluates material that has already been published.
• Expands and refines a theory.
• Published by a professional association, society, research association, or academic institution.

Ulrichsweb (Global Serials Directory) is a definitive guide to peer-reviewed journals. 

To find a peer-reviewed article using Library Search:

1. Go to wmich.edu/library.
2. Type the title, subject or author of the article you are looking for in the Library Search field on the University Libraries homepage.
3. Select the "Articles" filter radio button below the search field.
4. Press enter or click the search button.
5. Click the "Peer-reviewed Journals" filter under Show Only in the Refine my results menu on the left. On mobile, select the filter icon in the upper right and then select "Peer-reviewed Journals." A "PEER REVIEWED" icon will show below all items that are peer reviewed in search results.