"Review articles" are a special type of article designed to provide a survey of knowledge in a particular area of research. Many databases make it easy to identify these articles. In Web of Science, once you have your search results displayed, use the "Review" filter on the left to limit to these types of articles. Similarly, in the Scopus database, look for the "Review" filter on the left, under "Document Type". Books and dissertations or theses are other good options for finding a review of the literature.
In certain databases limit your results to peer-reviewed or "scholarly articles." Or look the journal up in Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory. Ulrich's identifies peer-reviewed (refereed) journals with this icon: 
