There are several types of articles one may encounter when conducting research in the health sciences. Primary research articles present the findings of original research studies and include the methodology. Review articles provide a critical evaluation of recent research on a topic and come in three forms: literature reviews which summarize existing research; systematic reviews which use a rigorous process to synthesize multiple studies; and meta-analyses which statistically combine the results of several studies. Case studies report on the details of a single patient and aim to explore new avenues for research rather than make broad generalizations. It is important to understand the differences between these article types to identify relevant and high-quality evidence.

1. Article Types in the Health Sciences-a reviewDanielle Carlock

2. OVERVIEWWhen conducting a search for evidence, there are many types of articles you may run into.Primary research articlesReview articlesCase studiesOthers (news, editorials, etc)It is imperative to be able to distinguish between these different article types

3. PRIMARY RESEARCH ARTICLESPresent the findings/results of a research studyThe authors of the article are the persons who conducted the research (i.e. primary)The article will include: why, how, whatTypically published in scholarly journals and undergo peer review

4. REVIEW ARTICLESA critical evaluation of recent research on a topicAre considered secondary sourcesGenerally are subject to peer review, especially in the sciences & health sciencesThree main types:Literature reviewsSystematic reviewsMeta analyses

5. LITERATURE REVIEWAn overview of a topic written by an expert in the fieldNo new contributions to research; instead are summarizing the work of othersIn some ways similar to a research paper you might write in collegeExample

6. SYSTEMATIC REVIEWUses a rigorous, pre-planned process to find and synthesis the results of many primary studiesInvolves a search of the literature using inclusion/exclusion criteria and then a systematic synthesis of the resultsConsidered a high level of evidence (esp Cochrane Reviews)Example

7. META ANALYSIS1. A systematic review is carried out 2. The results from many studies are statistically combined in order to summarize the overall outcome. Example

8. CASE STUDIES OR CASE REPORTSA detailed report on one patient/caseDraws conclusions only on one patient in one context-i.e. not generalizableDescriptiveGoal is to offer new directions for research; ask new questionsExample

9. COMPARISION OF ARTICLE TYPES

10. OTHER TYPES OF CONTENT IN PEER REVIEWED JOURNALSNews articlesLettersEditorialsCommentariesBook reviews

11. NOTE: ALL OF THESE ARTICLE TYPES CAN APPEAR IN A PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL