Skip to Main Content

Public Administration MPA Research Page

.

Is My Article Peer-Reviewed?

There are two ways to find out whether or not your selected journal article is peer-reviewed.  One way is via Google; follow these steps: 
1. Note the name of the journal from the citation.  2. Type the name "in quotes," into the regular version of Google in order to find that journal's homepage.  TIP: Journals typically state the fact that they are "peer reviewed" (also known as “refereed” or “juried” or "blind reviewed."  If, in the description, none of those words are used then you can be sure it is not "peer reviewed."
 
The next way to find out is via the Pace database called Ulrich's Web; follow these steps:
1. Note the name of journal from the citation.
2. Login to Ulrich's Web. If you are off campus, you will need to input your Pace username and password. 
3. Once in the database, type in the name of the journal in the search box for example: Nature    then click on the title and a profile of the journal will appear.  If you see this symbol:
ulrich's refereed icon that means the journal  is refereed, i.e. peer-reviewed.  If you don't see that symbol next to the journal name it's not peer-reviewed.

Where do I start?

 

Image: Gina Levitan

The hardest thing about research is often just getting started! The library's Quick Search tool (see the box below) is a great place to start.  You can limit to academic journals, limit by date and more.  Once you're ready to do more targeted article searches you can use the list of recommended journals or search a specific database like Business Source Premier.

Recommended Journals

Periodical Databases

To search the journal literature and periodicals, use one or more of the Library's subscription databases.

On the Library's A-Z Databases page, you can choose "Public Administration" from the Subject List. You will see a number of databases listed there in which you can search. These are the most highly recommended databases:

Interlibrary Loan

When you find an article listed in a database, and the article is not immediately available to read, use the Search for Item button to search Pace's periodical holdings. If you get a message that directs you to use the ILLiad Interlibrary Loan service to request a copy of the article, follow the link.

  • Articles (pdf files/photocopies) can take anywhere from 24 hours to a few days to obtain.
  • Books, conference proceedings and other documents are also available for request and can be picked up at your home campus Library.

Journal Title Search - Ebsco

You can browse journal and periodical holdings using the Subject Lists, or use the widget below to search for a particular publication title.

Journal Title Search:
Within:
Search Type: