What is a key characteristic of peer-reviewed literature?

A key characteristic of peer-reviewed literature is that it undergoes evaluation by experts in the field before publication. This rigorous review process ensures that the research presented is of high quality, valid, and contributes meaningful insights to the scientific community. Experts assess various aspects of the study, such as the methodology, results, and conclusions, providing critical feedback that can lead to improvements or validation of the research. This process enhances the credibility of the publication and helps to maintain scientific integrity, as only work that meets established standards is disseminated to a broader audience.

While the other options may describe traits relevant to different types of literature, such as summarizing topics or providing background information, they do not specifically capture the essence of peer review which is central to establishing the reliability and scholarly significance of research articles.