Writing Assignment #1/ Article Types

          A primary article is an original article presenting a researcher’s observations and findings. The article is an in-depth description of the researcher’s process while planning, conducting, and reviewing their findings. Throughout the article, it will include sections such as introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references. Primary articles are usually peer-reviewed before publication.

          A review article, or secondary article, is an easier-to-read summarization of research in a specific area of study. It is used to provide readers with little information in the field a general idea or understanding of what current information has been found or discovered. Review articles are also a helpful tool when looking for primary research articles, as they are listed as references.

          The scientific peer review process is a controversial and lengthy process used to evaluate researchers’ findings before publication. First, a researcher will gather their findings and create a draft article to submit to a scholarly journal. Then, a journal’s editor will read the draft and decide if the article would be a good fit for their journal. If the editor decides the drafted article would be a good fit, the editor sends copies to other experts, authors’ “peers” in the same field, to determine its quality and integrity. Next, the authors’ “peers” will then make their recommendations to the editor. Lastly, the editor will then decide whether the article is rejected, accepted, or needs to be revised. Once an article is accepted or revised, the journal will then publish it and distribute it to subscribers and/or universities.