Aresty Summer Science Program: Research Methods

For hints on reading journal articles, try these links:

• How to Read a Scientific Paper - tutorial, from Purdue University Libraries
• How to Read a Scientific Paper - infographic, from Natalia Rodriguez, Elsevier

There are several subject-specific RUL Research Guides available:

• Biochemistry
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Food Science
• Microbiology
• Physics & Astronomy

To find more visit, RUL Research Guides.

Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE) is a peer reviewed, PubMed indexed journal devoted to the publication of biological, medical, chemical and physical research in an innovative video format. JoVE takes advantage of video technology to capture and transmit the multiple facets and intricacies of life science research. The video-articles in JoVE visualize experiments in life sciences laboratories including medical procedures. JoVE films and edits videos of researchers performing experimental techniques at universities in the fields of biology, medicine, chemistry, and physics.

The Libraries subscription includes the following sections:

1. Journal of Visualized Experiments Bioengineering
2. Journal of Visualized Experiments Biology (formerly 'General')
3. Journal of Visualized Experiments Chemistry
4. Journal of Visualized Experiments Neuroscience
5. Journal of Visualized Experiments Immunology and Infection
6. Journal of Visualized Experiments Clinical and Translational Medicine

You will encounter several types of scholarly articles during your literature review process.   This guide from NJIT University Libraries is a good reference for the differences among them, the different types of empirical research and the peer-review process. Check out Research Roadmaps. 

Empirical study:  Aims to gain new knowledge on a topic through direct or indirect observation and research. This type of article may use both quantitative or qualitative data and analysis. An empirical article will often include the following sections:  Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

(Literature) Review article:  This is a type of article that provides a synthesis of existing research on a particular topic.  These are useful when you want to get an idea of a body of research that you are not yet familiar with.  It differs from a systematic review in that it does not aim to capture ALL of the research on a particular topic.

Case Study: Often describes an unusual case or observation. It is common in medicine to report the occurrence of previously unknown or emerging disease. A case study paper usually examines a single subject of analysis, but case study papers can also be designed as a comparative investigation that shows relationships between two or among more than two subjects.

For more see:

Cornell University's Guide

Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Guide

and Berkeley's University's useful glossary of science terminology