TR3105: Introduction to Scientific Method

In a broad sense, research is the gathering of facts and information on a particular topic. The goal of research is to further the body of knowledge.

In the field of science, research is a methodical study undertaken to answer a question, or test a hypothesis, and includes an interpretation of the findings. 

Often, these studies are published as articles in scientific journals.  Articles can be accessed via individual journals (in print or online), or in databases, which contain mass collections of articles from many different journals.

One of the most basic ways to categorize research is by classifying it as either Primary or Secondary:

• Primary: an investigation that collects original data (an experiment is performed; clinical trial)

• Secondary: discusses, reviews, analyzes primary data (encyclopedia; review article)

There are also several terms that apply specifically to research articles:

• Scholarly Journal
  Scholarly journals are published for an academic audience by a recognized society with academic goals and missions.

• Peer Reviewed
  A publication is considered to be peer reviewed if its articles go through an official editorial process that involves review and approval by the experts in the same subject area. Most (but not all) scholarly publications are peer reviewed.

• Full text
  The entire article (not just the citation or abstract) is available online.

Look at the document below for more a more detailed explanation of these terms, as well as to review other basic research terms with which you should be familiar:

Created by North Carolina State University Libraries, 2015 (Kim Duckett, Team Lead)

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