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UNF Library   |  Research Help for Students  |   What is Original Research?

What is Original Research?

Original research is considered a primary source.

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An article is considered original research if...

  • it is the report of a study written by the researchers who actually did the study.
  • the researchers describe their hypothesis or research question and the purpose of the study.
  • the researchers detail their research methods.
  • the results of the research are reported.
  • the researchers interpret their results and discuss possible implications.

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Glossary

empirical pertaining to data or information obtained through experiment, experience, or observation, and which can be verified
hypothesis a tentative theory
journal a periodical containing scholarly articles and/or disseminating current information on research and development in a particular subject field
magazine a periodical for general reading containing articles, stories, photographs and advertisements on a variety of subjects
peer-reviewed see refereed journal
periodical a serial appearing or intended to appear indefinitely at regular or stated intervals, generally more frequently than annually. Magazines, journals and newspapers are all periodicals.
qualitative research A type of research methodology that produces descriptive data, with little emphasis given to numerical quantification.
quantitative research Form of research methodology in which experimental variables and relationships are assigned numerical value.
refereed journal a refereed journal has a structured reviewing system in which at least two reviewers, excluding in-house editors, evaluate each unsolicited manuscript and advise the editor as to acceptance or rejection.

Refereed is used interchangeably with peer-reviewed in UlrichsWeb Global Serials Directory. See What is a Refereed Article?
serial a publication in any medium issued in successive parts bearing numerical or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely

Except for refereed journal, the above definitions are adapted from the ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science and PsycInfo Thesaurus.

Refereed journal is discussed in A Guide to Academic Writing by Jeffrey A. Cantor found in the Reference Collection, 2nd floor, call number PN146 .C33 1993b.

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Some guides use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to access portable document files (pdf).

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