What does "peer-reviewed" mean in the context of a study?

"Peer-reviewed" refers to a process in which a study has been evaluated by experts in the specific field before it is published in a scientific journal or similar venue. This evaluation is crucial because it helps ensure the quality, validity, and reliability of the research findings. During this process, the reviewers assess the methodology, analysis, and conclusions of the study to ensure that they meet certain academic and scientific standards.

This rigorous scrutiny can help identify potential biases, methodological flaws, or areas for improvement, which strengthens the overall quality of academic literature. Once a study passes peer review, it indicates that it has undergone a critical assessment by knowledgeable individuals, making it more credible to the scientific community and the public. This is why the choice indicating peer review involves evaluation by field experts is the correct answer.