Check the journal’s peer-review policy, confirm indexing in MEDLINE or DOAJ, and look for received/accepted dates on the article.
Quick checks and where to find them
Start with these checks. They work for students, clinicians, and authors who need a fast, reliable read on peer review.
| Step | Where to look | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Policy page | Journal website → “About,” “Editorial policies,” or “Instructions for authors” | Peer-review described by name (single-blind, double-blind, or open); a clear path from submission to decision |
| Editorial board | Journal website → “Editorial board” | Named editors with affiliations; scope fits the field; no implausible or duplicate names |
| Article history | On a recent research article | Dates marked “received,” “revised,” and “accepted,” or a “handling editor” line |
| Indexing | NLM MEDLINE, PubMed record, or the DOAJ entry | Journal listed and in good standing; links point back to the same title and ISSN |
| Peer-review policy details | Journal policy page | Who reviews, typical timeframes, reviewer independence, and a link to an ethics code |
What peer review means in medical journals
Peer review is expert feedback before publication. External reviewers assess study design, reporting, and claims. Editors weigh those reports and make the call. Many journals use single-blind or double-blind review; some use open reports. The setup varies, yet a real process leaves public traces you can check, from policy text to article-level dates.
Medical titles often follow community guidance on ethics and editorial standards. That includes how editors manage conflicts and how reviewers handle confidentiality. Reputable journals publish those expectations in plain view so authors and readers know the rules.
Checking peer review status in a medical journal
Use this small workflow. Open the journal site in one tab and a recent article in another.
Scan the policy page
Look for a section labeled “peer review.” You want a clear statement of the review type, how many reviewers read a paper, and what editors do with those reports. A good page names the steps from submission to decision and links to an ethics code.
Confirm editorial independence
Read the masthead. A serious journal lists an editor-in-chief, associate editors, and an editorial board with real affiliations. Roles should make sense for the scope. If names are missing, repeated, or unrelated to the field, that is a warning sign.
Open a recent research article
Scroll to the first page footer or the end matter. Many journals show an “article history” with received and accepted dates. Some list a handling editor or include a peer-review statement. These marks show a process took place for that item.
Verifying through trusted indexes
Indexing does not replace your own checks, yet it adds weight. MEDLINE selects journals after a review of scientific and editorial quality. Read the official process on the NLM MEDLINE journal selection page. If a title is indexed in MEDLINE, its records appear in PubMed. Open-access titles may also seek listing in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), which asks for a public peer-review policy; see the DOAJ transparency and peer review page.
Use the official sites, not blog lists. Search the NLM catalog for the journal title or ISSN to view indexing status. In DOAJ, open the journal page and read the “peer review” section. Match the website you clicked with the site linked from the index entry to avoid name-clone traps.
How to verify peer review for medical journal articles
Sometimes you need proof for a single article, not just the journal. Use these article-level signs.
Look for dates that mark the path
Many research articles carry a sequence of dates. “Received” signals submission. “Revised” marks a response to reviewer notes. “Accepted” shows the editor’s final decision. When those dates are present and spaced in a realistic way, they support that the paper went through peer review.
Find the peer-review statement
Some publishers print a short note on the PDF or landing page stating that the article was reviewed by external experts. Others link to open reports. If reports are public, glance at them for the editor’s letter and reviewer comments.
Check the article type
Not all items are peer-reviewed. Editorials, letters, news, and corrections often skip external review. The policy page should name which content types are reviewed. Make sure the item you found is a research article or review article when you need peer-reviewed work.
Using third-party tools with caution
Library tools and knowledge bases can speed up this task. Ulrichsweb, for example, labels “refereed” journals, which means peer-reviewed. Your campus may provide access. These tools help, yet always trace results back to the journal site and an official index page to confirm titles and ISSNs match.
Publisher hubs and author portals can help too. Large houses post policy pages for all their titles. Still, the journal’s own site is the place of record.
Peer review red flags and what to do
Run through this list when signals clash.
| Red flag | Why it matters | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| No policy page | Readers cannot see how manuscripts are reviewed | Search the site again; if absent, contact the editor or use a different source |
| No named editors | Lack of accountable roles | Look up the publisher; if names stay hidden, avoid citing |
| Unrealistic timelines | Submission to acceptance within days for complex studies | Compare with other articles; seek a better-vetted title |
| Index mismatch | Journal site and index entry link to different domains | Verify the ISSN across sources; prefer the indexed site |
| Scope mismatch | Topics on the site do not match the stated aim | Open recent issues and scan contents; switch sources if needed |
Applying the workflow to save time
Here is a tight loop you can reuse on every title:
- Open the journal site. Find “About” or “Instructions for authors.” Read the peer-review section.
- Check the editorial board page for real names and affiliations in the right field.
- Open a fresh research article. Look for received and accepted dates or a peer-review note.
- Search the NLM catalog. Confirm the same title and ISSN, and whether MEDLINE indexes the journal.
- If the journal is open access, check its DOAJ page and read the peer-review entry.
- If any step breaks, stop and pick a better source.
Why indexing details matter
MEDLINE selection weighs editorial quality and scientific content. That review adds confidence that a title runs a real process and keeps records in order. DOAJ listing requires a clear peer-review policy on the website. That public policy lets you read the steps from submission to decision. These programs do not replace your own reading, yet they help filter titles fast.
One note about PubMed: you cannot limit a search to only peer-reviewed journals. PubMed is a search platform, not a label for peer review. Use the journal’s policy page and the indexing pages named above to verify the process.
Smart ways to read policy pages
Policy pages vary in depth. Here is what a clear page tends to include:
- The review model (single-blind, double-blind, or open)
- How many reviewers read a standard paper
- How editors pick reviewers and handle conflicts
- Typical timelines and how decisions are reached
- Links to an ethics code for editors and reviewers
- Which content types are reviewed and which are not
If a page leaves out most of this, reach out to the editor. Good titles answer policy questions in writing. If you get vague or off-topic replies, move on.
Advice for students, clinicians, and authors
If you are a student
Ask your library for access to tools like Ulrichsweb. Save policy pages you find as PDFs for your assignment files. Cite the journal’s peer-review statement when your rubric asks for proof.
If you work in care
Stick to journals with steady indexing and clear policies. Read the article type on the first page before you cite a takeaway in notes or teaching. For fast updates, pair peer-reviewed sources with trusted summaries from your specialty group.
If you are an author
Match your manuscript to a journal that states its process clearly, lists editors, and posts ethics links. A clear policy helps you and your reviewers work cleanly through revisions.
Frequently missed signs
Two traps cause the most trouble. The first is name cloning. A low-grade title picks a name that mimics a well-known journal and hopes readers click without checking the domain or ISSN. The second is mixed content. Some titles review research papers but not news or commentary. If you cite the wrong item type, your source may not meet your assignment or policy needs. Check both the site name and the article type every time.
Linking to the right sources
When you cite the peer-review status in your methods or assignment, link to public, durable pages. Use the official MEDLINE page above for how titles are evaluated, the DOAJ policy page for the peer-review standard in open access, and the Think. Check. Submit. checklist when you are choosing where to publish.
Keep a short checklist handy
Tuck this into your notes:
- Policy page says “peer review” and explains the model
- Named editors with real affiliations
- Article history dates on a recent paper
- Indexing confirmed in MEDLINE or DOAJ
- Item type is a research article when needed
With this list in hand, you can confirm peer review quickly and move on to the science.