HSS 356

Primary research articles

• are original scientific reports of new research findings
  • do not include review articles, which summarize the research literature on a particular subject, or articles using meta-analyses, which analyze pre-published data
• usually include the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References
• are peer-reviewed (examined by expert(s) in the field before publication)
  • a peer-reviewed article is not the same as a review article, which summarizes the research literature on a particular subject

Secondary sources

• are summaries or interpretations of original research – not the original research itself
• are often useful and easier-to-read summaries of research in an area
• references or citations can point the way to useful primary research articles.
• acceptable formats may include books (find these through the library catalog) and review articles (articles which organize and critically analyze the research of others on a topic)
• blogs, YouTube videos, newspaper articles, book reviews, press releases and .com websites are NOT among formats usually appropriate as sources in scientific research

Any research article can be understood more easily by breaking down the sections.  An article will generally have some version of the headings below.  However, not all articles will have all headings or may have headings that differ or aren't listed.  This information should be used as a guide to understand the structure of research articles and the information found within each section.

• Title - Indicates research topic
• Abstract - Synopsis of research and methods used
• Introduction & Literature Review - Gives background information as to why research was conducted
• Hypothesis/ Problem Statement - Idea being tested
• Meterials & Methods/ Procedures/ Design - Protocols and methods used in the study
• Results/ Finding/ Implications - Outcomes and findings of the research procedure
• Discussion/ Conclusion/ Summary - Explains results and may compare findings to other experiments
• References/ Works Cited - Gives credit to literature and sources used in article