What is a Journal Article?

Journal articles are shorter than books and written about very specific topics. 

Journal is a collection of articles (like a magazine) that is published regularly throughout the year. Journals present the most recent research, and journal articles are written by experts, for experts. They may be published in print or online formats, or both.

For your assignment, you’ve been asked to look for journal articles. But what exactly is a journal article?
Journal articles are the main way that academics talk to other academics about their research. Your
instructors are often not only teachers, but also researchers who write these journal articles. Journal
articles are about a very specific topic and are written by experts for other experts.

Primary journal articles and secondary journal articles. Primary journal articles are a firsthand account of research that researchers have conducted. In contrast, secondary articles review the
results from many primary articles and are useful for better understanding your topic. Keep in mind that
the data and results of these studies have been interpreted by another author, however, which can lead
to mistakes.

Most reliable source of high-quality information is journal articles that have been peer-reviewed.
Peer review is a process that many articles undergo prior to publication. An author sends the paper to a
journal editor, who then sends it out to other experts in the field. Feedback from these experts is then
used to improve the paper, as well as to determine if it’s fit for publication.

Keep in mind that not all journals peer-review their articles. Check whether a journal peer
reviews its articles through Ulrich’s.

By including peer-reviewed journal articles in your assignment, you’ll be able to support your research
with concrete, high-quality evidence.

Types of Journal Articles

It is helpful to familiarise yourself with the different types of articles published by journals. It may appear there are a large number of types of articles published due to the wide variety of names they are published under, most articles published are one of the following types; Original Research, Review Articles, Short reports or Letters, Case Studies, Methodologies.

Original Research:

This is the most common type of journal manuscript used to publish full reports of data from research. It may be called an Original Article, Research Article, Research, or just Article, depending on the journal. The Original Research format is suitable for many different fields and different types of studies. It includes full Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections.

Short reports or Letters:

These papers communicate brief reports of data from original research that editors believe will be interesting to many researchers, and that will likely stimulate further research in the field. As they are relatively short the format is useful for scientists with results that are time sensitive (for example, those in highly competitive or quickly-changing disciplines). This format often has strict length limits, so some experimental details may not be published until the authors write a full Original Research manuscript. These papers are also sometimes called Brief communications.

Review Articles:

Review Articles provide a comprehensive summary of research on a certain topic, and a perspective on the state of the field and where it is heading. They are often written by leaders in a particular discipline after invitation from the editors of a journal. Reviews are often widely read (for example, by researchers looking for a full introduction to a field) and highly cited. Reviews commonly cite approximately 100 primary research articles.

Case Studies:

These articles report specific instances of interesting phenomena. Goal of Case Studies is to make other researchers aware of the possibility that a specific phenomenon might occur. This type of study is often used in medicine to report the occurrence of previously unknown or emerging pathologies.

Methodologies or Methods

Articles present a new experimental method, test or procedure. Method described may either be completely new, or may offer a better version of an existing method. Article should describe a demonstrable advance on what is currently available.

What is the Format of a Journal Article?

Format of a journal article follows a well-established structure that facilitates clear communication of research findings. Understanding the typical formula can help authors effectively organize their work, ensuring that readers easily navigate the content. Below is an overview of the standard components found in most journal articles.

Title: Title is the first element readers see and should accurately reflect the article’s content. A well-crafted title is concise yet informative, offering a preview of the topic and its significance. It often includes key terms that make the article discoverable. Titles may also highlight the research question or methodology used.

Abstract: The abstract is a brief summary of the article, typically ranging from 150 to 250 words. It highlights the main objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of the research. Readers often decide whether to read the full article based on the abstract, so it should be clear and engaging.

Introduction: In the introduction, the author provides background information on the research topic, identifies gaps in existing literature, and explains the study’s purpose. The introduction also typically includes the research question or hypothesis, setting the stage for the study’s objectives.

Literature Review: Literature review is sometimes part of the introduction or included as a separate section. It discusses previous research relevant to the topic, highlighting key findings and gaps. This section helps contextualize the current study, showing how it contributes to the field.

Methodology: Methodology section describes how the research was conducted. It includes the study design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques used. Detailed descriptions are essential for reproducibility, ensuring other researchers can replicate the study.

Results: In the results section, the author presents the data collected during the study, often using tables, graphs, and figures. This section focuses on reporting the findings without interpretation. Clear and accurate presentation of data is critical for readers to understand the study’s outcomes.

Discussion: Discussion interprets the results, explaining their significance and how they relate to existing literature. Authors may also address limitations of the study and suggest areas for future research. This section allows for a deeper analysis of the findings and their implications.

Conclusion: Conclusion summarizes the main findings and their implications. It may briefly restate the research question and how the study addressed it. Authors often propose recommendations for practice or future research based on their findings in this section.

References: References section lists all sources cited in the article. It follows a specific citation style, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, depending on the journal’s guidelines. Accurate citation ensures proper acknowledgment of previous work and allows readers to trace sources.

Acknowledgments: Though optional, some journal articles include an acknowledgments section. This section thanks those who contributed to the research, such as funding bodies, advisors, or individuals who provided technical assistance.

Keywords: Keywords are often provided after the abstract to help readers find the article through searches. These are important terms that describe the main topics of the article. Keywords can enhance the visibility and discoverability of the article in academic databases.

Supplementary Material: Some articles include supplementary material, such as additional data, appendices, or multimedia content. This material supports the main article but is not essential for understanding the primary content. It is often available online to accompany the published article.

Figures and Tables: Figures and tables are integral parts of the results section. They present data in a visually accessible way, helping readers grasp complex information quickly. Each figure or table is typically numbered and referenced in the text to aid comprehension.

Formatting and Style: Journals often have strict formatting guidelines that authors must follow. This includes font type, size, margins, and citation style. Adhering to these guidelines ensures consistency and professionalism in the presentation of the article.

Peer Review: Before publication, most journal articles undergo a peer review process. Experts in the field evaluate the research for its quality, relevance, and contribution to the field. Peer review ensures that only rigorous and credible studies are published in scholarly journals.

Format of a journal article is designed to present research in a clear and systematic way. By following the standard structure, authors can ensure that their findings are communicated effectively.

FAQs

1. What is a journal article?

Journal article is a scholarly piece of writing published in academic journals that presents original research, analysis, or reviews of existing research. These articles are often peer-reviewed to ensure their credibility and contribution to the field.

2. What are the different types of journal articles?

Journal articles can be categorized into several types, including research articles, review articles, case studies, and theoretical articles. Each type serves a specific purpose, such as presenting original findings, summarizing existing research, or exploring theoretical concepts.

3. How is a journal article structured?

Typical journal article follows a structured format, including sections such as the title, abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgements, and references. This structure ensures clarity and consistency in presenting the research.

4. What is the purpose of a journal article?

Primary purpose of a journal article is to disseminate new knowledge and findings to the academic community. It contributes to the ongoing dialogue in a specific field and helps advance understanding and innovation.

5. How do I know if a journal article is peer-reviewed?

Peer-reviewed articles undergo a rigorous evaluation process by experts in the field before publication. Check if an article is peer-reviewed by looking for information on the journal’s website or in the article’s publication details.

6. What is the difference between a journal article and a conference paper?

Journal article is a comprehensive and detailed report of research findings published in an academic journal, while a conference paper is typically a shorter presentation of research presented at a conference. Conference papers may later be expanded into journal articles.

7. How do I cite a journal article?

Citing a journal article involves providing detailed information about the article, including the authors, title, journal name, volume, issue, page numbers, and publication year. Specific format may vary depending on the citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

8. What is the role of an abstract in a journal article?

Abstract is a brief summary of the article, providing an overview of the research, including the background, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. It helps readers quickly understand the main points and decide whether to read the full article.

9. How can I access journal articles?

Journal articles can be accessed through academic databases, university libraries, and journal websites. Some articles may be available for free, while others may require a subscription or purchase.

10. What should I consider when submitting a journal article for publication?

When submitting a journal article, consider the journal’s scope, submission guidelines, and formatting requirements. Ensure your article is well-written, thoroughly proofread, and adheres to the journal’s standards to increase the chances of acceptance.