[Kalibasa]

I am writing a lab for organic chem, and I need to use a peer-reviewed journal article as a reference. I'm quite picky about choosing one that actually fits in my lab and gives me something meaningful to talk about... which is why I wasn't finding much on a standard journal search. I found a perfect article from ARKIVOC, which I had never heard of (Archive for Organic Chemistry).

It says it's peer-reviewed, and I found it listed on the website of the University of Michigan's website, so I'm presuming it's safe. But I want to make sure a "free journal" is really trustworthy. Thanks!

[democanarchis]

I know that Katritzky set it up, so it's being run or overseen by someone with a pretty hefty academic background. That said, any articles i've found published there haven't been up to the standard I would like (for synthesis purposes). I'd say its fine to use, and my criticism is more of a Tetrahedron Letters vs JACS rather than being a bad journal.

[Kalibasa]

That was the impression I got- that it was generally trustworthy, but that some high-level or practicing chemists had gripes with it.  I wanted to double check.  Well in any case I used it, and my TA didn't dock me- he was very strict with other people apparently about their sources, so I guess it was OK

[orgopete]

Re: trustworthy

Finding Truth
"Peer review is like a filter that removes fact from fiction However, peer review does not increase Truth. Repetition and agreement by experts will not increase Truth. If something is written in a textbook, it will not make it more true. Truth will only be as valid as the original proof (or proofs)." - PW (future publication).

I just wanted to put that out there. That really wasn't the actual question being asked (whether ARKIVOC can be used as a peer review reference), but an internet blog, the New York Times, JACS, or the National Enquirer can be true (but not in that order). For validity of references, ask your instructor. Chemistry is easier to find recognized peer reviewed journals, but physics seems loaded with quack "peer reviewed" journals.

Chemistry Facts or Fictions
“When an old and distinguished person speaks to you, listen to him carefully and with respect -- but do not believe him. Never put your trust into anything but your own intellect. Your elder, no matter whether he has gray hair or has lost his hair, no matter whether he is a Nobel laureate -- may be wrong. The world progresses, year by year, century by century, as the members of the younger generation find out what was wrong among the things that their elders said. So you must always be skeptical -- always think for yourself.” - Linus Pauling