This week, you continue working on your Professional Development Plan (PDP) and submit Part 3, using the template in this week’s Learning Resources. Continue to keep in mind that as you progres

This week, you continue working on your Professional Development Plan (PDP) and submit Part 3, using the template in this week’s Learning Resources. Continue to keep in mind that as you progress academically and professionally, it might be necessary to modify your plan. You will adjust your PDP during this course, based on feedback you have received from your Instructor.

To complete: 

Using the template provided in the Learning Resources, complete Part 3 of your PDP. Be sure to address all topics within the template, as this will help you to create a plan that cultivates your professional identity.

What is peer review? 

Peer review is a scholarly form of review for journal articles. After an article is sent to an academic journal, the editor sends it to several peer reviewers--typically scholars in the field--for evaluation.

These peer reviewers examine the paper's methodology, literature review, and conclusions. They note the existence of bias or other flaws. The peer reviewers may accept the article, require re-writes from the authors, or reject the article. 

If you are asked to find articles that are peer-reviewed, what you are really looking for are articles from a peer-reviewed journal. 

Peer review can also be called: 

• blind peer review
• scholarly peer review
• refereeing or refereed

Search Tip:  Peer reviewed journals may also contain items that are not peer-reviewed, such as letters to the editor, opinion pieces, and book reviews. Even if you check the peer review limiter box, you still need to examine the items carefully to be sure they are articles.

Are dissertations peer reviewed? 

No. While dissertations are closely supervised by a dissertation committee made up of scholars, they are still considered student work. 

Dissertations are often included in scholarly writing, although they are used sparingly. If you are unsure if you can use a dissertation in your assignment or literature review, talk with your instructor or chair.