Here’s an interesting case where a non-academic, non peer-reviewed article has had a notable impact. Hams have set up their own infrastructure on the 'net for sharing designs, information - callsign-websites
https://101-things.readthedocs.io/en/latest/radio_receiver.html
The design uses a “Tayloe” Quadrature Sampling Detector (QSD) popularised by Dan Tayloe. And used in many HF SDR radio designs. This simple, design allows a high-quality mixer to be implemented using an inexpensive analogue switch.