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Read a scholarly article

Use strategies for getting and reading academic articles to make this part of the research as efficient and effective as possible.

1. Get scholarly articles in OneSearch and databases

Step 1. Refine your search results by selecting “peer-reviewed journal.”

Under "Availability" choose "Peer-reviewed Journals"

Step 2. Check your item is marked PEER REVIEWED.

2. Take time to read academically

2 minute video on What is a scholarly article?
3 minute video on how to read an academic article

Skim these peer-reviewed articles links from WCC library

Scholarly articles on climate change in Washington state
Scholarly articles on diabetes in children

Set a time limit

If you need to write 1-2 pages, limit your reading time per article to 10-20 minutes.

3. Consider: What is peer review? Who is included?

Peer review means that other scholars have looked at an academic work and thought it was valid.

  • Authors usually have an advanced degree and are affiliated with a college
  • Articles have an extensive list of references

Take notes on what authors did

A peer-reviewed, academic article can still leave people and perspectives out and show bias. You can describe that as part of your own writing.

3 minute video describing peer review