No, peer-reviewed and scholarly articles aren’t identical; peer review is a vetting step, while scholarly describes expert-written work.
Students, researchers, and working professionals ask this all the time: are peer-reviewed and scholarly articles the same? The short answer is no. One term names the quality control step used by many journals. The other describes who writes the work, who it is for, and the formal tone and evidence inside. Most peer-reviewed articles are scholarly, but a portion of scholarly writing never goes through external review before publication. Think editorials, book reviews, letters, news columns inside academic journals, and chapters from university presses.
Peer-Reviewed Vs Scholarly Articles: Quick Definitions
Peer-reviewed article. A manuscript checked by independent experts in the same field before a journal accepts it. Reviewers comment on methods, claims, references, and fit for the journal. Editors use those reports to accept, request revision, or reject.
Scholarly article. Writing by subject experts for a specialist audience. It follows academic conventions: citations, careful claims, and transparent methods when research is reported. A scholarly piece may be peer-reviewed, or it may be an editorial or a brief that the editor screens alone.
At-A-Glance Comparison Table
| Aspect | Peer-Reviewed | Scholarly |
|---|---|---|
| Core Idea | Quality check by expert referees before publication | Written by experts for experts or students |
| Who Approves | Editor plus external reviewers | Editor; may or may not use reviewers |
| Typical Venues | Academic journals that label themselves as refereed | Academic journals, edited books, conference proceedings |
| Common Content | Original studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses | All of the peer-reviewed types plus editorials, letters, book reviews |
| Signals | “Peer reviewed” on journal site; received/accepted dates on first page | Author affiliations, reference lists, disciplinary language |
| Turnaround | Weeks to months due to referee cycle | Often faster when editor-screened |
| Edge Cases | Preprints cited but not yet reviewed | Scholarly news columns, tutorial notes, viewpoint essays |
Are Peer-Reviewed And Scholarly Articles The Same? Differences That Matter
This is where students get tripped up. A professor may ask for “scholarly sources” when the assignment welcomes editorials and field essays. Another course may demand “peer-reviewed journal articles only,” which excludes book chapters and editorials in the same journals. The labels overlap, but they are not interchangeable.
Peer Review Is A Process, Not A Genre
Peer review is a gatekeeping process. Editors send manuscripts to qualified reviewers who judge method, claims, and clarity. Many journals post a policy page that spells out the steps and timelines. Some display received, revised, and accepted dates on the article. That trail signals external vetting. For a plain-language overview from a medical publisher, read this peer review primer on peer review in scientific publications.
Scholarly Writing Is A Category
Scholarly writing is broader. It includes research articles, methods papers, literature reviews, book reviews, editorials, debates, and pedagogical notes. All share expert authorship and a reference list. Only some pass through external referees before publication. For a quick checklist of traits, see this Cornell library guide to scholarly journals.
Why The Mix Causes Confusion
Many library databases use a filter labeled “Scholarly (Peer Reviewed).” New researchers see that phrasing and assume the terms match. In practice the filter returns items from journals that use peer review for research content, while that same journal may also publish pieces the editor screens alone. That’s where the mismatch starts.
What Counts As Scholarly But Not Peer-Reviewed?
Here are frequent cases you will see in academic journals and presses that meet scholarly expectations without external referees:
- Editorials And Viewpoints. Opinion pieces written by editors or invited authors.
- Book Reviews. Critical overviews of new scholarly books.
- Letters And Correspondence. Short comments on recent articles.
- News Columns And Obituaries. Field updates or tributes inside academic journals.
- Conference Reports. Summaries of sessions or trends from a meeting.
- Preprints. Public drafts posted to servers before journal submission or while under review.
Preprints: Scholarly, Public, Not Yet Vetted
Preprints share findings fast. The posting is public and citable, yet it has not passed external referees. When you cite one, signal that status and weigh claims with care. Many servers display a banner that the manuscript is not reviewed.
How To Tell If A Journal Article Is Peer-Reviewed
Use this simple workflow when you have a PDF in front of you and a deadline coming up.
Check The Journal’s Policy Page
Search the journal’s site for words like “peer review,” “instructions for authors,” or “editorial policy.” Reputable journals have a page that states whether research articles go to external referees and what model they use (single-blind, double-blind, or open).
Scan The Article Front Matter
Look for received, revised, and accepted dates near the title or footer. Many publishers print that mini-history on the first page. The absence of dates does not prove a lack of review, but their presence is a strong signal.
Use Database Filters Wisely
Filters in library databases are handy, but they are blunt tools. The “peer-reviewed” checkbox usually marks journals that use referees for research content. It does not promise that every item in that journal issue is reviewed.
Common Assignment Wording Decoded
“Use Peer-Reviewed Sources”
Stick to research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from refereed journals. Editorials and book reviews in those journals do not count for this requirement.
“Use Scholarly Sources”
Use items written by experts and backed by citations. That includes journal articles, chapters from academic presses, and conference proceedings. You can mix in editorials or field essays to frame a debate, while leaning on reviewed studies for claims and data.
Peer Review Models You Might Encounter
Journals use different setups to balance speed, fairness, and transparency. Here are the common ones you will see on policy pages:
Single-Blind
Reviewers know the authors’ names. Authors do not know the reviewers. This is common across disciplines.
Double-Blind
Reviewers and authors are anonymous to each other. Many journals in the humanities and social sciences prefer this model.
Open Review
Some venues publish reviewer names or even the reports. A few journals invite public comments during a set window.
Examples Across Disciplines
In health and life sciences, lab studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews are classic peer-reviewed content. The same journals also run case reports, viewpoints, and brief methods notes that are scholarly yet often editor-screened only. Preprint sharing is common, and servers display a banner about status.
In engineering and the humanities, conference proceedings and book chapters from respected presses carry weight as scholarly sources. Many conference papers undergo committee review, while chapters are editorially reviewed. Journal essays are reviewed by experts, yet journals also include substantial book reviews and forum pieces that are screened by editors.
What About Review Articles And Meta-Analyses?
These are scholarly syntheses that summarize many studies. In most journals they pass through peer review. The best ones report a clear search strategy, inclusion criteria, and a plan for weighing evidence. When you need a current overview, a review article can be a strong anchor for your literature section.
When To Cite Non-Peer-Reviewed Scholarly Pieces
Not every assignment needs a stack of peer-reviewed studies. Field overviews, historical context, or debates can benefit from editorials, book reviews, and scholarly news columns. Just label the type in your prose and pair it with at least one peer-reviewed study when you are making a weighty claim.
Decision Table: Is This Source Scholarly Or Peer-Reviewed?
| Check | Where To Look | What You Should See |
|---|---|---|
| Authorship | Byline and affiliations | University or research institute listed |
| References | End of article | Formal reference list with DOIs or publishers |
| Peer-Review Status | Journal policy page | Statement that research articles undergo external review |
| Manuscript History | First page footer | Received/revised/accepted dates |
| Article Type | Header or sidebar | Research article vs editorial, letter, or review |
| Venue | Journal masthead | Refereed label or indexing in scholarly databases |
| Tone And Structure | Body sections | Methods, results, and cautious claims when research is reported |
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Relying On Database Labels Alone. Always click through to the journal site for a final check.
- Quoting Preprints Like Settled Evidence. Treat claims as provisional until a reviewed version appears.
- Assuming Every Item In A Refereed Journal Is Reviewed. Editorials, letters, and book reviews often are not.
- Ignoring Article Type Labels. Journals mark content as research article, review, editorial, or letter. Read that line.
When you are unsure, slow down and verify the article type, the journal policy, and the presence of dates. Two minutes on the journal site can save an hour of edits. If a source lacks review, pair it with one that has it, and say so plainly in your paper for your reader.
Bottom Line For Assignments And Proposals
Match the requirement. If the rubric says “peer-reviewed journal articles,” stick to research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from refereed journals. If the rubric says “scholarly sources,” you can widen the mix to expert essays and book chapters, while still grounding key claims in vetted research.
By now the phrase are peer-reviewed and scholarly articles the same? should make sense. Use the right label and you will pick better sources. When a classmate asks are peer-reviewed and scholarly articles the same? you can answer with a crisp no, plus the checks in the tables above.