What is the Difference Between Research Article and Research Paper?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between a research article and a research paper lies in their purpose, content, and publication format.

Research Article:

  • Published in peer-reviewed journals or magazines.
  • Reports the methods and results of an original study performed by the authors, such as experiments, surveys, interviews, etc..
  • Typically focuses on empirical studies or original research.
  • Follows a specific format, including methodology, results, and discussion sections.
  • Includes an extensive bibliography or reference list.

Research Paper:

  • Presented at conferences or used as coursework.
  • May offer a thesis but is not as in-depth as a research article.
  • Provides a summary, review, and analysis of a specific topic based on the findings reported in reputed cited journals.
  • Does not have as extensive a reference list as a research article.
  • Can be shorter in length compared to research articles.

In summary, a research article focuses on presenting original research and the methods and results used to obtain those findings, while a research paper is more focused on reviewing and analyzing existing literature on a specific topic. Research articles are typically published in peer-reviewed journals, whereas research papers may be presented at conferences or used as coursework.

Comparative Table: Research Article vs Research Paper

The main difference between a research article and a research paper lies in their purpose and structure. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Feature Research Article Research Paper
Purpose To inform and educate the reader about a specific topic or subject To present the results of a study or experiment and their implications
Structure Typically organized into sections such as introduction, literature review, discussion, and conclusion Contains all the elements of a research article, plus additional sections like methodology, results, and often tables and figures
Content Summarizes existing research and provides an overview of the topic Includes original research, detailed descriptions of methods, and explanations of findings
Citation Often cites other research articles and books Cites primary sources such as experiments, surveys, and interviews, as well as secondary sources like research articles and books

In summary, research articles tend to provide an overview of a topic and summarize existing research, while research papers focus on presenting original research and its outcomes.