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SOC 111 - Pericak

Social Problems

What are Scholarly Peer-Reviewed Articles?

Anatomy of a Research Article

Some key characteristics will help you distinguish between research and review articles. A research article is describes an experiment that attempts to solve or address a very specific problem/issue. These articles always contain the standard sections:

Abstract - This is a brief paragraph description of the inner-workings of the article. The abstract allows scholars and scientists to ascertain what the article is about in just a few seconds. 

Introduction - This section states the purpose of the article, defining the problem and putting it into context.  It may include a review of the published literature on the topic.

Review of literature - This section is usually located just after the research description. The review summarizes the results of other experiments that have been done in the past.

Method - This section contains a detailed description of the approach the researchers have taken to test the idea, problem, or issue.

Results - The Results of the experiment or test is explained after the Method description.

Discussion or Conclusion - This is where the researchers interpret the results of the experiment or test and create meaning.

The research article always ends with a "Bibliography" or "References" or "Works Cited" section.
 

This interactive tutorial (hosted by NCSU Library System) illustrates the components of a journal article:
https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/scholarly-articles/

Popular vs. Scholarly

How to Recognize Peer Reviewed Scholarly Journals

 

from the Moffett Library at Midwestern State University.

How To Find a Peer-Reviewed Journal Article at Pearsall Library