Using peer-reviewed and scholarly resources is essential for research in STEM because these materials undergo rigorous evaluation by experts in the field, ensuring their accuracy, reliability, and relevance. This process helps you base your work on credible and validated information. While non-peer-reviewed sources, such as books or magazines, can still provide valuable insights, they should be vetted more carefully for potential biases or outdated information. By critically evaluating any source, peer-reviewed or otherwise, you can incorporate them responsibly into your research.
Finding reliable, scholarly sources is a key part of doing quality research in STEM. Scholarly and peer-reviewed sources are written by experts in the field and have undergone a rigorous review process to ensure accuracy and credibility. These sources often include academic journal articles, university press publications, conference proceedings, and scholarly books.
Our library's online catalog, LibrarySearch, is a great place to start. After running your search, you can filter your results by selecting "Peer-Reviewed". This will narrow your results to content that has been reviewed by experts before publication.
You can also find scholarly sources on Google Scholar, which indexes academic literature from a wide range of disciplines. While not every article in Google Scholar is peer-reviewed, many are. For the best results, look for links to full-text articles through the library or publisher websites, and verify if the source is from a recognized journal or academic institution.
Have you found an article that you are unable to access? Try placing an interlibrary loan request. Follow the instructions on UMA's ILL page. Digital requests are usually filled within 3-5 business days.
Academic Journal Articles – Often peer-reviewed and published by scholarly societies or universities.
University Press Books – Books published by academic institutions and written by subject matter experts.
Conference Papers – Research presented at academic conferences, sometimes peer-reviewed depending on the venue.
Research Reports – From government or educational institutions, typically written by field experts.
Using these tools and understanding the types of scholarly sources available will help you build strong, credible research in your STEM studies.
Evaluating a source is a crucial step in the research process. Not all published material is equally useful or reliable, and in STEM fields, the quality and type of research you use can significantly impact your work. Here are key questions to ask when assessing a source:
Science and technology evolve rapidly. Ask yourself:
Is the publication date recent enough to reflect current knowledge and discoveries?
Could more recent studies contradict or build upon this research?
Outdated information may still be valuable for historical context, but for current research, newer sources are often more relevant. For scientific research, depending on the subject, it's generally recommended to use sources that have been published in the last 5-10 years.
Check to see if the findings in the source have been supported or challenged by newer studies. In STEM, it's common for research to be refined or revised as new data becomes available. Looking at multiple sources on the same topic helps you understand where consensus exists and where the field is still evolving.
Even well-conducted studies may not be useful if they don’t align with your topic or research question. Consider whether the scope, focus, and conclusions of the work contribute meaningfully to your own project.
Investigate the credentials of the authors—are they affiliated with universities, research institutions, or recognized organizations? Also look at the publication source—is it an academic journal, university press, or a less formal outlet? Reliable sources typically involve experts with appropriate qualifications and are published through reputable channels.
Be mindful of:
Author bias: Does the author have a stake in the findings?
Publication bias: Are only certain types of results (e.g., positive findings) being published?
Language bias: Is the tone objective, or does it use emotionally charged or persuasive language?
Critical thinking is essential when deciding whether or not a source is balanced and trustworthy.
Over the years, there have been many tools created for researchers to use in helping them evaluate a resource. Two of the most popular methods are the SIFT method and the CRAAP test.
The SIFT Method is a tool intended to help students learn how to investigate a source.
SIFT stands for:
SIFT can be especially helpful when assessing non-peer-reviewed sources like books, news articles, social media posts, etc. but can be used for any kind of resource.
Here are some additional resources to learn more about the SIFT method:
The CRAAP Test is very helpful for evaluating a source and if it is relevant to your research.
CRAAP stands for:
Running your resource through the CRAAP test is a great way to take a deep dive into the research and test the strength of that resource within the scope of your project.
Here are some additional resources to learn more about the CRAAP Test:
Knowing what type of research you're reading gives you important context. Each type of research serves a different purpose and carries a different level of impact:
Original Research Studies – Present new data from experiments, surveys, or trials. These are primary sources and often the most direct evidence in scientific literature.
Systematic Reviews – Analyze and synthesize results from multiple studies on a specific question, offering a high level of evidence.
Literature Reviews – Summarize current knowledge on a topic, but may not follow the rigorous methods of a systematic review.
Meta-Analyses – Combine statistical data from multiple studies to identify trends or patterns.
Animal Studies and Laboratory Research – Important for experimental science but may not always directly translate to human outcomes.
Case Studies and Reports – Detailed observations about specific instances; useful for rare or unique phenomena but limited in generalizability.
Understanding the type of research you’re reading helps you assess its purpose, strengths, limitations, and how it fits into the larger scientific conversation.