University of South Alabama Online Learning Lab

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Research Vs Non-Research Articles

Objective: What is a research article? To distinguish between research and non-research articles the following checklists take a look at what each one should and should not look like.

RESEARCH

Research articles should include a hypothesis, a proposed question.  Does the article propose an assumption to be tested?  Remember the scientific method.

1. Research articles should include a methods section, a description of  the subjects, procedures and tools used.  Does the article describe the process of testing the research question?  It should explain who, what, when, where and how the research was conducted.

2. Research articles should include findings, an explanation of conclusions.  Does the article explain what was found after the study?   

3. Research articles should include suggested further research.  Does the article give an analysis of the implications from the findings.

4. Research articles should be peer reviewed.  This is a standard preference of most professors.  Research articles should be from a peer reviewed journal.

NON-RESEARCH

1. Research should not be an opinion based document.  

2. Research articles should not be newspaper articles.  Did you find the article in a newspaper or magazine?  

3. Research articles should not be editorials.  Is the article from the author's opinion? 

4. Research articles should not be book or test reviews.  Is the an evaluation of a book or measurement tool?    

5. Research articles should not be columns giving advice.  Can you summarize your article with a statement beginning with "how to"?