A primary article is a source that analyses, or reports on, original results from an experiment. These
types of articles are usually written by the ones who conducted the experiment and are based on a firsthand experience with the results and the experimental procedure. The format of primary articles typically consists of five sections: the introduction, the methods, the results, the conclusion, and the references sections. The introduction gives background information regarding the experiment that was carried out. The methods describe the procedure that was followed and how it was carried out. The results relay the outcome of the experiment and visualize the results. The conclusion interprets and discusses the results. These articles are also reviewed by other experts in the same field to ensure their validity.
A review article describes, or analyzes, existing research described in primary articles. These types of
articles are usually used as a reference to give a general understanding of the topic of interest.
Once a researcher finishes their draft of the article containing their research, it is sent to be peer
reviewed. Peer reviewing an article is when other experts, of the same field of interest, review the article to
determine its validity and quality. They determine whether the article should be accepted, rejected, or revised by looking at whether or not the research is relevant, original, conducted in an appropriate manner, whether the findings are valid, etc. If the research article is approved by the reviewers, it is sent to an editor for a final approval or rejection.
The article Permanent Inactivation of Huntington’s Disease mutation is a primary article and the Huntington’s Disease Mechanisms is a review article. The Permanent Inactivation of Huntington’s Disease mutation article is formatted in the same way a primary article is typically formatted: it has an introduction, a materials and methods section, a results section, and a discussion section. Also, the information being presented is specific to one experiment. The Huntington’s Disease Mechanisms provides general background information regarding Huntington’s disease and is not specific to one experiment.