A research article is a primary source...

that is, it reports the methods and results of an original

study performed by the authors. The kind of study may vary (it could have been an experiment,
survey, interview, etc.), but in all cases, raw data have been collected and analyzed by the
authors, and conclusions drawn from the results of that analysis.

Research articles follow a particular format. Look for:

A brief introduction will often include a review of the existing literature on the topic studied, and
explain the rationale of the author's study. This is important because it demonstrates that the
authors are aware of exisiting studies, and are planning to contribute to this existing body of
research in a meaningful way (that is, they're not just doing what others have already done).

A methods section, where authors desribe how they collected and analyzed data. Statistical
analyses are included. This section is quite detailed, as it's important that other researchers be
able to verify and/or replicate these methods.

A results section describes the outcomes of the data analysis. Charts and graphs illustrating the
results are typically included.

In the discussion, authors will explain their interpretation of their results and theorize on their
importance to existing and future research.

References or works cited are always included. These are the articles and books that the authors
drew upon to plan their study and to support their discussion.

A review article is a secondary source...it is written about other articles, and does not report
original research of its own. Review articles are very important, as they draw upon the articles
that they review to suggest new research directions, to strengthen support for existing theories
and/or identify patterns among exising research studies. For student researchers, review articles
provide a great overview of the exisiting literature on a topic. If you find a literature review that
fits your topic, take a look at its references/works cited list for leads on other relevant articles and
books!

What Is a Research Article?

Research:
Research articles should include a hypothesis, a proposed question.  Does the article propose an
assumption to be tested?  Remember the scientific method.

1.  Research articles should include a methods section, a description of the subjects,

procedures and tools used.  Does the article describe the process of testing the research
question?  It should explain who, what, when, where and how the research was
conducted.
2. Research articles should include findings, an explanation of conclusions.  Does the article
explain what was found after the study?   
3. Research articles should include suggested further research.  Does the article give an
analysis of the implications from the findings?
4. Research articles should be peer-reviewed.  This is a standard preference of most
professors.  Research articles should be from a peer-reviewed journal.  See
the Different Types of Articles tab in this guide for more information about peer-
reviewed articles and how to find them in the library.

Non-Research:

1. Research should not be an opinion based document.  

2. Research articles should not be newspaper articles.  Did you find the article in a
newspaper or magazine?  
3. Research articles should not be editorials.  Is the article from the author's opinion? 
4. Research articles should not be book or test reviews.  Is the an evaluation of a book or
measurement tool?    
5. Research articles should not be columns giving advice.  Can you summarize your article
with a statement beginning with "how to"?

(Source: University of South  Alabama Online Learning Lab: Research vs. Non-Research Article