Synthesizing and Analyzing Research: The Types of Articles

Type of Characteristics
Article *Note: There are other articles (i.e., perspectives, commentaries, or opinions), but the
below are the main types of scholarly literature.
Original research studies Often includes: Examples: Thought to ponder:
Original or works. Classified as hypothesis, dissertations, Should you include in
Research primary literature. background, conference papers, your own research (i.e.,
methods, results, research results, literature review)?
interpretation of patents, technical
findings, and reports,
discussion of diaries/journals,
possible laboratory
implications. notebooks.
Review Provides an overview of 1) Literature 2) Systematic 3) Meta-analyses
Article existing literature in the Reviews: Reviews: Reviews: Statistical
field. Often identifies published structured, methods are used to
specific problems or research with a addresses a specific collect measures, and
issues within published different point of formulated effects from
literature. Secondary view. The question about the independent, but
literature. researcher/writer literature, and may similar studies and to
3 types: 1) Literature often analyzes include multiple summarize multiple
Reviews, 2) Systematic gaps, limitations sources both similar studies instead
Reviews, and 3) Meta- or problems. published and of relying on the single
analyses unpublished. study.
Presents patient cases Includes a The Thought to ponder:
Clinical from clinical or medical detailed author/researcher As you work on the
Case practice. discussion of has practical template are you noting
Study signs, symptoms, experience. Often the expertise of the
diagnosis and an expert in his/her researchers. What are
treatment. field. any
similarities/differences?
Specific to the field of Includes Observational Thought to ponder:
medicine. methodology, (observation of Will you be using any
Clinical implementation, participants) or articles that are clinical
Trial and results of interventional trials, and if so for what
controlled (participants given purpose?
studies, usually a treatment or
with large patient intervention).
groups.
Provides an opinion on Often short and Published in most Often used to introduce
recently published expected to be academic journals. or familiarize readers
Book scholarly books. unbiased. with a new book in the
Review field.

Created by Dr. Sara Northern

 Webliography

6 Article Types that Journals Publish: A guide for early career researchers
http://www.editage.com/insights/6-article-types-that-journals-publish-a-guide-for-early-
career-researchers

Chemistry Resources: Primary Sources and Original Research vs. Review articles
http://libguides.msmary.edu/c.php?g=11462&p=59914

Types of Articles Journals Publish: A guide for early career researchers

http://www.editage.com/insights/what-types-of-articles-do-journals-publish

Created by Dr. Sara Northern