In this section, we will discuss the difference between a primary research paper and a review article.
A primary research paper has both a methods and results section. The example is the research paper from the Cell Membranes & Cancer Activity.
Here is an example of a primary research paper:
Notice that the primary research paper begins with an abstract then moves to an introduction then to the methods section then onto the results then finishes with the discussion.
This paper has both a methods and results section; therefore, it is a primary research paper.
__________________________________________________________________________
A review article will not have a methods or a results sections; instead, the article will generally focus on a topic and discuss the current research results in the field then conclude with discussing future directions of the research topic.
Here is an example of a review article:
Notice that the review article, titled “Protective Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Cancer Related Complication,” begins with an abstract then to an introduction then to individual sections on polyunsaturated fatty acids and cancer then to a discussion.
The review does have figures and tables, but these are not results. They are summarizes of results from primary research papers.
There is no methods or results section in this article; therefore, the article is not a primary research paper.