In the 2009 MLA Handbook for Writers and Research Papers, (New York, MLA), peer review is the process by which an author's peers who are experts in the field or referees, will read an article/manuscript and comment on the importance of the subject, the originality, soundness of the argument, the accuracy of facts, and the currency of the research.  Each of the referees will send their evaluation to the publisher with a decision to recommend for publication.

The period of review can vary depending on the length of the article or manuscript and the number of reviewers who ar aked to evaluate it.  Scholarly works are original, primary publications.  They make a significant contribution to the archive of scientific knowledge in a given field as reported in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition, (2010).

If you are looking for 10 articles in Sociology, go to the Sociology Subject Guide on the Mahoney Library Home Page. Many of the databases listed will allow you to link into peer reviewed/scholarly articles. These include ProQuest Social Sciences, Research Starters-Sociology, Social Science Full Text, Google Scholar and Sociological Abstracts.  In Science Direct, select 'Journals' and check off the box 'articles' to obtain scholarly articles.