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University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Geography 210: Research Assistance

Contemporary Social and Environmental Problems

Ask-A-Librarian for Help with Your Research

Subject Specialist

Jessica Hagman, Social Sciences Research Librarian
Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library, 101 Main Library
Phone: 217-333-3005
Email:  jhagman@illinois.edu

Scholarly Research

Peer-reviewed materials are publications reviewed by “expert readers” or referees prior to the publication of the material. After reading and evaluating the material, the referee informs the publisher if the document should be published or if any changes should be made prior to publication. Peer-reviewed materials are also referred to as refereed or scholarly. Peer-reviewed materials are significant to the research and the literature of most academic fields because they assure readers that the information conveyed is reliable and timely.

Many article databases now allow you to limit your search to display only peer-reviewed (refereed) results. Use this option to eliminate guesswork and rest assured that your results are all from peer-reviewed sources.

Note: beware the “scholarly” label…as we’ve seen, a source can be “scholarly” but not necessarily peer-reviewed. Look for “peer-reviewed” or “refereed” to be sure.

Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library

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Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library
Contact:
SSHEL (Room 101)
Main Library
1408 W. Gregory Dr.
Urbana, IL 61801
General Telephone: (217) 333-2305 Information Services Desk Telephone: (217) 244-1864
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