Library Guides: Biology 201A: Biology: Welcome and Primary Literature Search

Textbook

Campbell Biology, 12th Edition by Rebecca Orr; Lisa Urry; Michael Cain; Steven Wasserman; Peter Minorsky
Call Number: Available at Circulation desk

ISBN: 9780135188743

Publication Date: 2020-01-01

How to read a scholarly article

This brief video by Western University Library explains how to efficiently skim a research article.

Peer Reviewed/Scholarly Articles

When looking at a journal article to determine whether or not it is primary literature, look for the following common components of a primary research article: Peer-reviewed or Scholarly articles will include the following parts to the paper:

Abstract
Introdution
Literature Review
Materials and Methods
Main Body
Discussion
Conclusion
Bibliography/citations

Peer review is also interchangeable with the following terms
Peer reviewed, Scholaraly article, Primary Research, Academic Study, Original Research, Primary Literature, Research article.

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

To expand the image, right-click or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the image above, and choose Open image in new tab.

Graphic adapted from UC San Diego: http://ucsd.libguides.com/MCWP/sources

Primary Secondary Tertiary Infographic Description

What is Primary Literature?

Primary literature contains the original research results reported by scientists.

Examples of Primary Literature in the Sciences:

Original research published as articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Dissertations
Technical reports
Conference proceedings
Patents

Before research results are published in a scientific journal, they must pass a rigorous review process by other scientists, called peer review.

Image courtesy of Cal Poly Humboldt, University Library

A group of scientists completes a study and writes it up in the form of an article. They submit it to a journal for publication.
The journal’s editors send the article to several other scientists who work in the same field (i.e., the “peers” of peer review).
Those reviewers provide feedback on the article and tell the editor whether or not they think the study is of high enough quality to be published.
The authors may then revise their article and resubmit it for consideration.
Only articles that meet good scientific standards (e.g., acknowledge and build upon other work in the field, rely on logical reasoning and well-designed studies, back up claims with evidence, etc.) are accepted for publication.

Image and text courtesy of Understanding Science 101.

Primary Literature Definitions

Four main types of primary literature in science are: original research articles, conference proceedings, technical reports, and patents, all of which present new data and methodologies from their creators. While the exact forms can vary, primary literature is distinguished by being the first published report of a new study, experiment, or idea by the researcher(s) who conducted it.

Original Research Articles
- What they are: These are the primary format for reporting new scientific findings and are published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals.
- Key features: They include the hypothesis, methodology, results, and interpretations of a study, as described by the original researchers.
Conference Proceedings
- What they are: These are papers or presentations delivered at scientific conferences and often published either in advance of the meeting or as a special issue.
- Key features: They provide early access to new research, though the level of editorial scrutiny may vary compared to journal articles.
Technical Reports
- What they are: These are detailed documents that report on research, often internal research within an organization or work conducted under contract.
- Key features: They are usually published and distributed by a specific institution or organization rather than a general academic publisher.
Patents
- What they are: These documents provide information about new products or processes that have been invented.
- Key features: Patents are freely available to the public, though they are rarely re-published as traditional journal articles.