Yes, most review articles in scholarly journals are peer-reviewed, with rare exceptions such as editorials or preprints.
Readers ask this a lot, and the wording can cause mix-ups. A review article is a paper that surveys existing studies. Peer review is the quality check journals use before publishing. These are different things. In many journals, review articles go through the same referee process as research papers. Some titles even post the referee reports next to the paper. The exact process depends on the journal and the article type.
What Counts As A Review Article?
“Review” covers several formats. Some follow strict methods and statistics. Others are narrative and invite expert commentary. Here’s a quick map of the main flavors and how peer review usually applies.
| Review Type | Typical Peer Review? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Systematic Review | Yes | Method-driven search, predefined criteria, often with protocol. |
| Meta-Analysis | Yes | Pools effect sizes; statistical checks receive close scrutiny. |
| Scoping Review | Yes | Maps the field; methods reviewed for transparency and limits. |
| Narrative Review | Usually | Commonly invited; still sent to referees in many journals. |
| Rapid Review | Usually | Streamlined searches; editorial teams may expedite the cycle. |
| Umbrella Review | Yes | Reviews of reviews; methods and overlap checks are assessed. |
| Methods/How-To Review | Usually | Techniques, checklists, or best-practice syntheses. |
| Thesis/Dissertation Literature Review | No (journal) | Academic assessment, not journal peer review. |
Are Review Articles Peer-Reviewed In Journals? Practical Checks
This section shows how to confirm the status for a specific paper. The steps are quick and save guesswork.
Check The Journal’s Policy Page
Reputable journals post which content types go to referees. Nature Portfolio lists Reviews among the peer-reviewed content types on its policy page. See “Peer Review” on the Nature site for the exact wording (Nature peer review policy). Cochrane states that each review must be assessed by topic and methods experts, setting a clear minimum standard (Cochrane editorial policies).
Look For Peer Review History Or Notes On The Article Page
Many platforms now show timelines, referee reports, and author replies. You may see labels like “received,” “revised,” and “accepted.” Some journals post the referee files next to the paper. BMJ journals often show open reviewer reports and checklists on the article page.
Scan The Instructions For Authors
Policy pages set the baseline. The “Instructions for Authors” explain any format-specific twists. That page usually tells you which sections get external review, how many referees are invited, and any open review options. If a journal runs invited narrative reviews, you can confirm whether these still go to outside referees.
Separate Reviews From Editorials Or News
Not every non-original article is a review article. Editorials, viewpoints, and news items share updates or opinions. Those pieces can be handled by editors only. When in doubt, check the article type label at the top of the page and the journal’s policy definitions.
Why Many Review Articles Get Sent To Referees
Journals rely on peer review to vet claims, methods, and reasoning. For review articles, the checks center on search strategy, inclusion choices, risk-of-bias handling, and balance. Even in narrative formats, editors look for broad coverage, credible sourcing, and a fair read of conflicting results. Reviewers also flag overreach, missing datasets, and thin methods write-ups.
What Referees Often Evaluate In A Systematic Review
- Whether the protocol and registration are accessible.
- Search strategy, databases, and timeframes.
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria and screening flow.
- Risk-of-bias tool choice and application.
- Meta-analytic model, heterogeneity, and sensitivity tests.
- Certainty grading and clear limits.
What Referees Often Evaluate In A Narrative Review
- Scope clarity and relevance for readers.
- Balance across schools of thought.
- Accuracy of summaries and definitions.
- Up-to-date citations and primary sources.
- Plain language on limits and gaps.
Edge Cases Where Peer Review May Differ
Commissioned content can follow a slightly different route. Many invited reviews still go to external referees, yet editors may pre-screen them more closely. Some titles post a “commissioned, externally peer-reviewed” note. Others keep the same workflow as standard research papers.
Preprints And “Review” Style Pieces
Preprints share manuscripts ahead of formal assessment. They help readers access findings early. Preprints are not peer-reviewed, even if the title says “review.” Treat them as drafts. Once a journal assesses the work and publishes a record of decision, the peer-reviewed status applies to the journal version only.
Protocols For Reviews
Protocols set the plan before a review begins. Some outlets publish review protocols with referees’ input. Cochrane and several medical journals send protocols to subject and methods experts, which improves clarity and reduces bias in the final review.
How To Verify A Specific Paper’s Status In Minutes
Use this quick routine when you need certainty on “Are review articles peer-reviewed?” for a target paper.
Step-By-Step Checks
- Open the article page and note the article type label.
- Open the journal’s “Peer Review” or “Editorial Policies” page and search for “Review.”
- Look for a peer review history link or timeline on the article page.
- Scan the PDF front page for “received,” “revised,” and “accepted” dates.
- If nothing is shown, check the “Instructions for Authors” for review article handling.
- If doubt remains, send a short query to the handling editor via the contact email.
Common Myths About Review Articles
“Review Means Editorial Only”
In many journals, that is not true. Nature Portfolio lists Reviews as peer-reviewed content. Cochrane requires both a topic expert and a methods or statistics expert to review each Cochrane Review. These are clear signals that review formats are not exempt from standard checks.
“Narrative Reviews Skip Referees”
Some do, yet many do not. Journals often send invited narratives to two or more external referees. Editors still lead the decision, but outside assessments are common.
“Preprints Are Already Vetted”
They are not. Preprints can include sharp work, but the formal checks land later during the journal process. Rely on the journal record for the peer-reviewed stamp.
What Strong Peer Review Looks Like For Reviews
Good review papers show their homework. You should see clear methods, wide sourcing, and careful limits. Good journals post transparent policy pages and, in some cases, the referee files.
| Publisher/Journal | Stated Process For Review Articles | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Nature Portfolio | Lists Reviews among peer-reviewed content types; many titles post reports. | Policy page |
| Cochrane Library | Each Cochrane Review assessed by a topic expert and a statistician/methods expert. | Editorial policies |
| BMJ Open | Open peer review with posted reviewer reports on accepted manuscripts. | Peer review process |
| Elsevier (General) | Runs standard referee workflows; trains referees for review papers too. | Reviewer training |
| Nature (Update) | Wider use of transparent review across research content. | News item |
Quality Signals To Look For When Reading A Review
Use these cues to judge the strength of a review article. They help you decide whether to cite it, rely on it, or keep searching.
Clear Methods And Scope
- Defined question and inclusion criteria.
- Named databases and search dates.
- Documented screening flow and reasons for exclusion.
Balanced Coverage
- Primary studies from multiple teams and regions.
- Conflicting results addressed without bias.
- Clear limits and next steps stated plainly.
Transparent Statistics (If Used)
- Model choice explained in plain terms.
- Heterogeneity and small-study effects checked.
- Sensitivity analysis or leave-one-out runs, when relevant.
How Editors Triage Review Submissions
Editors triage on fit, clarity, and value for the journal’s readers. They review scope, writing quality, and ethics. Strong drafts move to referees quickly. Weak drafts can be returned without external review. Commissioned pieces may start with an editorial read, then move to referees once the scope aligns with the title’s aims.
Where The Process Is Spelled Out
If you need receipts, journal policy pages are your friend. Nature Portfolio’s policy page shows that Reviews are in scope for external referees. Cochrane’s page sets a minimum of two reviewers with distinct skill sets. These links help you verify a paper’s status and cite with confidence when asked, “Are review articles peer-reviewed?”
Takeaways
- In scholarly journals, review articles are usually peer-reviewed.
- Editorials, viewpoints, and news pieces are different and may skip external referees.
- Preprints are not peer-reviewed until a journal accepts the paper.
- Policy pages and article timelines offer quick proof of referee checks.
- For a target paper, use the six-step verification routine above.
FAQ Alternatives You Might Search
Are Review Articles Peer-Reviewed Across Fields?
Across medicine, life sciences, and many social science titles, the answer is yes. The details vary. Medical titles often require strict methods reporting. Some humanities journals accept narrative formats yet still invite referees. Follow the verification steps for each target paper.
Do Reviews Count As “Peer-Reviewed Sources” In Assignments?
Often yes. Instructors usually accept review articles from journals that send them to external referees. Check the assignment brief and ask which journals qualify. When in doubt, attach the policy link from the journal’s site.
Can A Review Paper Be Reliable Without Meta-Analysis?
Yes. Many topics do not suit pooling. A clear narrative review can still be strong if the scope is clear, sources are varied, and the limits are stated plainly.
Bottom Line
When someone asks, “Are review articles peer-reviewed?”, the safest reply is this: in journals that run external referees for Reviews, yes. Use the policy page and the article record to confirm the status for the paper in front of you. Link to those sources in your notes, and your citations will stand on firm ground.