How to Use Peer-Reviewed Articles

The amount of information that an academic reviewed piece can have might be overwhelming. Knowing what to read and what parts to include and HOW TO include them in your papers and assignments can be challenging, so here are a few tips on how to introduce a peer-reviewed article in an essay:

1. Mention the author and article name

This option is best if either the article or the author is well-known. When you're using a journal article that is frequently cited in the field you're writing for (i.e. nursing) or is written by a well-established authority, introduce it with simply the title and the author. Your readers will understand why you're using that article because it's widely considered an authority.

Example:  Albus Dumbledore describes the origin of the four Hogwarts houses in his article 'Separating Hogwarts Fact and Fiction.'

• Use the author's full name.
• Add quotation marks to the article's title.

2. Summarize the article

If an article is only valuable for a fraction of your paper, then summarize its main point and create an argument/statement based on it. Take a quick reading of it (following our tutorial on how to speed reading peer-reviewed articles) and create a summary of a sentence or two, that way a single source won't occupy your whole assignment. 

Example: The history of Hogwarts makes clear that the houses were never intended to be seen as 'good' or 'evil.' Rather, each house emphasizes and nurtures specific traits students have—how they use those traits is up to them.

• Make it straightforward, and use your own words (paraphrase) to convey the primary idea of the author. 
• Use the "Summary" section of the article. Most peer-reviewed articles have a Summary section before the conclusion. Read it and find terms and concepts essential for the argument/statement you're making. 

3. Use signal phrases

Signal phrases let your readers know that you're no longer talking about your own ideas, but rather the ideas expressed in the article. Some signals you can use include "argues," "notes," "observes," "addresses," confirms," and "contends."

Example: McGonagall argues that Slytherin House should be disbanded after the Battle of Hogwarts.

• Paraphrase your argument, use the author's last name before the signal and connect the author's statement with the topic of your paper.

4. Frame the article according to the context of your essay

This is a good option if the article supports your own ideas. Using a published article to support your own ideas gives what you're saying more credibility. 

Example: This article demonstrates broad support for the idea that Hogwarts should continue to sort students into four houses.

• Use the author's ideas and connect them to your own ideas.
• Use the article's quantitative (stats, charts, measurable facts) and qualitative (surveys, research methods) data to show that your main argument/statement is valid and supported. 

5. Explain the purpose of the source in your essay

Try this if you need to justify using the source. If an article doesn't seem obviously related to your essay, let your readers know exactly how the article addresses the point you're making.

Example: Although this essay doesn't discuss defenses against the dark arts, Albus Dumbledore's article provides an example of how you can't learn anything by plagiarizing the work of others.

• Do not mention parts of the article that aren't relevant.
• Use it in your favor: even if the author does not agree with your statements, use the article's data and arguments to prove your points.