When doing scientific research, your sources must be dependable. One example would be primary articles. Primary articles are original, firsthand scientific reports of new scientific discoveries. It is a raw, detailed report of a researcher’s study or experiment explaining the procedure and results. To spot these sources, these articles typically include the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and References. They are also usually peer reviewed. However, do not mistake them for a review article, an overview of published research literature.

Review articles are also reliable sources for research. Categorized as a secondary
source, these articles summarize multiple primary sources, making them easier to read.
They are great for understanding a topic with which you are unfamiliar. Researchers also
find them useful because they provide a list of references filled with primary sources.

Research articles are the main source of information for many science majors. They are very dependable as they undergo a quality test called a “peer review.” First, the editor sends the article to experts in the same research area. Then, they evaluate the article by asking questions to assess its importance and quality. Some of the biggest points they are looking for are that the procedure has been fully explained, no obvious calculation errors, and the data supports their conclusions. After asking questions, they decide if the article is worth publishing in scholarly journals. Lastly, the editor makes the final decision on whether it should be approved or not. If an article is peer-reviewed, it will usually say so in its description. Where you get your information and if you can trust it is especially important when doing research. So, understanding what to look for is the proper first step.