Skip to Main Content

Science Capstone - Research Quick Guide

Find Original Research Articles (Primary Sources)

Original Research Articles vs. Review Articles

Original Research Articles

Example:

Scanning Ultrasound (SUS) Causes No Changes to Neuronal Excitability and Prevents Age-Related Reductions in Hippocampal CA1 Dendritic Structure in Wild-Type Mice.

  • Original research articles focus on a single research study that was conducted by the authors.
  • Original research articles always contain a section labeled Methods (or Materials and Methods).
  • Original research articles usually contain a section labeled Results. (The results are always included in the article.)
  • Original research articles usually contain a section labeled Discussion.
  • Above the article title, original research articles are frequently labeled as "Original Research" or "Research Article." 

Review Articles (e.g. Literature Reviews, Systematic Reviews)

Example: 

Population Genetics of the Monk Seals (Genus Monachus): A Review

  • Review articles summarize and evaluate the results of many different studies on a topic.
  • Above the article title, review articles are frequently labeled as "Review" or "Systematic Review."  
  • If a review article contains a Methods section, it will address the database search terms used to find articles on the topic, as well as the databases searched.