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Art History Resource Guide v.2

Scholarly and Peer Reviewed Articles

Articles are published in scholarly journals—collections of research on specific subjects. Each journal publishes articles by experts and scholars, often peer-reviewed for accuracy. When a scholarly journal has a peer-review process in place, it can be called a peer-reviewed journal. Journals help share new findings and ideas, making them a key source for reliable, in-depth information across many research topics, including art and humanities.

Peer review is a process used to evaluate the quality and credibility of scholarly work before publication. When an author submits a paper to a peer-reviewed journal, editors check its relevance and quality, then send it to experts in the field for a detailed evaluation. These “peers” assess the work based on criteria like originality, methodology, evidence, and clarity.

Why Peer Review Matters

  • Quality Assurance: Ensures high academic standards.
  • Reduces Bias: Multiple reviewers offer balanced perspectives.
  • Advances Knowledge: Contributes reliable information for further research.

In art research, peer-reviewed sources are trusted references for studying artists, movements, and art history.

Databases Containing Scholarly and Peer-Reviewed Sources

Dissertations and Theses

Dissertations and theses are scholarly works that provide in-depth research on specialized topics. While they go through rigorous review by an academic committee, they’re not usually considered peer-reviewed like journal articles. This means they may not fulfill requirements for peer-reviewed sources. Check with your professor to see if they count toward peer-reviewed article requirements. Regardless of the answer, they’re still valuable for gaining insights and finding detailed information on your topic.