This document provides information to help evaluate whether a journal article describes a research study. It outlines different types of journal articles, including scholarly articles describing primary research like randomized controlled trials and case studies, as well as professional articles like editorials and literature reviews. Two sample citations of journal articles are presented. The first describes a pilot study that examined an intervention using an automated voice system with strategies to manage symptoms and adherence to oral chemotherapy agents. The second presents an article on health promotion in elderly patients with coronary artery disease, describing key disciplines linked to health promotion but not an original nursing research study. Guidance is provided on determining if a cited article presents original research that could be counted as such.

1. Evaluating articles
Research Study or Not
a Research Study?
LINDA NEYER, HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARIAN
FEBRUARY, 2015 REV.

2. Types of Journal Articles
Scholarly
Commentaries/
briefs
Primary research
 RCTs, Case studies…
 Qualitative studies
Secondary research
 Literature reviews
 Systematic reviews

3. Professional
Editorial/
commentary
 News
 Continuing ed
Secondary research
 ‘Best practices’
 Literature reviews
Types of Journal Articles

4. 1st sample citation
Article title: An intervention to improve
adherence and management of symptoms
for patients prescribed oral chemotherapy
agents: an exploratory study.
Authors: Spoelstra SL, Given BA, Given
CW, Grant M, Sikorskii A, You M, Decker V.
Source (includes Journal title): Cancer
Nursing 2013 Jan-Feb;36(1):18-28.
doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3182551587

5. article abstract
Objective: This study examined an intervention to
manage symptoms and adherence to oral agents.
Methods: A 3-group pilot study determined how an
Automated Voice Response (AVR) system alone (n = 40),
or the AVR with strategies to manage symptoms and
adherence (n = 40), or the AVR with strategies to manage
adherence (n = 39) reduced symptom severity and
improved adherence. Participants received a Symptom
Management Toolkit, completed a baseline interview, and
were randomized to receive 8 weekly AVR calls. An exit
interview occurred at 10 weeks.

6. additional fields
Publication Types:
 Multicenter Study
 Randomized Controlled Trial
 Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

7. 2ND
citation
Article title: Health promotion in the
elderly with coronary artery disease.
Author: Tinkham M.
Source (includes Journal title):
Journal Of Vascular Nursing 2014, 32
(4): 151-5.
doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3182551587

8. article abstract
The number of elderly Americans, those over the
age of 65 years of age, continues to climb. A
lifetime of poor nutrition and lack of exercise has
led many elderly patients to experience coronary
artery disease (CAD) later in life, leading to
invasive procedures and other forms of disease
management that contribute to mounting health
care costs and lower quality of life… This paper will
explore three key disciplines linked to health
promotion in the elderly and why this topic is so
vital for our future.
No, not an original nursingNo, not an original nursing
research article. I mightresearch article. I might readread itit
to get ideas/background, but Ito get ideas/background, but I
can’t count it as ‘research’.can’t count it as ‘research’.

9. You be the judge: 1st
citation

10. additional info for 1st
citation

11. additional info for 1st
citation

12. 2nd
citation

13. additional info for 2nd

14. 3rd
citation

15. additional info for 3rd

16. Questions?