Finding Articles > 2: About Scholarly Journal Articles
2A: Types
Scholarly journals present new research or review existing research in a field. These articles are longer and more complex than other kinds of articles. Articles reporting new research tend to be narrowly focused on a specific research question. Review articles do not present original research, but rather summarize the results of many different articles on a particular topic.
2B: Components
The formats of scholarly journal articles vary. Research articles in the sciences or
social sciences often include the following parts:
- Abstract (summary)
- Introduction or statement of research problem
- Literature review of other related studies
- Methodology of research (such as experiments, observations, interviews, surveys, case studies)
- Results of research
- Data charts, diagrams, tables
- Discussion of results
- Recommendations for further research
- References or bibliography
Scholarly articles in the humanities (including subjects like English, languages, art, history and philosophy), however, take different forms. Some may propose a new theory or criticize an existing one. Others may analyze a work, such as a poem, television program, or painting, or a historical event (as shown in the illustration).
From: Crime, Media, Culture, Vol. 3, No. 1 (2007): 67-81.
Like scholarly articles in other fields, these articles will refer to related studies and include references or a bibliography. For examples, see: Yahoo Directory: Journals: Humanities.
2B: Quality Control
Scholarly journal articles are reviewed carefully by experts in that academic field before they are accepted for publication. This process is called peer-review. Peer-review (also called refereeing) helps to assure the quality of information found in the article.
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