View this short video from NCSU libraries that explains the peer review process.
Because so much of the information you find is downloaded from the Internet, it is often difficult to figure out if the article you printed or downloaded is a peer-reviewed, scholarly article, and therefore suitable for academic work. Here are some quick ways you can figure out if your article is scholarly:
A. The author is a scholar. Look for a byline or a blurb that identifies the college or university where the author teaches. If no information is given, Google the author to find out.
B. There are extensive citations, showing the author's familiarity with and reliance on scholarship in the field.
C. The article is addressed to a knowledgeable audience, rather than to the general public.
D. Find the journal's home page and figure out what society or institution publishes it. See who is on the editorial board of the journal—are they scholars in the field, people with academic positions? Find the "about" section and read about the journal's peer review process.