The SIFT Model and graphic were created by Mike Caulfield and used here under a CC BY 4.0 license.
What is Peer-Review?
Peer-review is a process by which articles are evaluated by other scholars or experts in the field. These "peers" of the author evaluate the article on its research design, statistical analysis, conclusions, originality, accuracy and importance to the field. An author may have to make corrections to the article several times before it is accepted for publication by the journal, or it may be rejected and not published. Choosing a peer-reviewed article is a way to ensure you are getting the highest quality information.