What is the Difference Between Peer Reviewed and Refereed Journal?

The terms "peer-reviewed" and "refereed" are often used interchangeably in the context of scholarly journals. Both terms refer to a highly critical and rigorous review process conducted by other scholars in the author's field or specialty before publication. The key difference between the two lies in the specific meaning of each term:

• Peer-reviewed: This term implies that the article has been evaluated by other scholars or experts in the same field, usually through a blind review process where the reviewer's identity is not disclosed to the author. Peer-reviewed articles are considered to be of high quality and credibility, as they have been scrutinized by experts in the field.
• Refereed: This term is derived from the word "referee," which refers to a person who is not a peer but is experienced and cannot be easily influenced by external pressure. Refereed journals typically involve at least two referees from different countries, who are experts in the area(s) concerned. The referee's assessment of the article is more critical and detailed, ensuring that the article is a scholarly work of great value.

In summary, while both peer-reviewed and refereed journals undergo a rigorous review process to ensure the quality and credibility of the published articles, the term "refereed" implies a more critical and detailed assessment by experienced referees, as opposed to the more general term "peer-reviewed," which refers to the evaluation by experts in the same field.

Comparative Table: Peer Reviewed vs Refereed Journal

Both peer-reviewed and refereed journals refer to academic publications where articles have been evaluated by experts in the field before publication. The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences between them. Here is a table comparing the two:

In summary, both peer-reviewed and refereed journals involve a critical evaluation process by experts in the field to ensure the quality of published articles. While there are some differences in the evaluation processes and conditions for publication, the terms are often used interchangeably in practice.