๐Ÿ”ap research review

Scholarly article

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025

Definition

A scholarly article is a written work that reports original research findings or reviews existing research in a specific academic field. These articles are typically published in academic journals and undergo a rigorous peer-review process, ensuring that the research is valid and credible. They provide detailed information and analysis, making them valuable resources for understanding complex issues from various perspectives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Scholarly articles often include sections such as an abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and references, which structure the presentation of research findings.
  2. These articles are typically authored by experts or scholars in the field, adding credibility and authority to the content.
  3. Many scholarly articles are indexed in databases like JSTOR, PubMed, or Google Scholar, making them accessible for academic research.
  4. Scholarly articles contribute significantly to academic discourse by providing evidence-based arguments and fostering dialogue among researchers.
  5. The citation style used in scholarly articles often follows formats like APA, MLA, or Chicago, which standardizes how sources are referenced.

Review Questions

  • How do scholarly articles contribute to understanding complex issues from multiple perspectives?
    • Scholarly articles provide a thorough examination of specific topics by presenting original research findings and comprehensive reviews of existing literature. They often incorporate various methodologies and viewpoints, allowing readers to see the complexity of issues. This multifaceted approach encourages critical thinking and enables readers to understand the nuances of a problem or issue from different angles.
  • Discuss the importance of the peer review process in ensuring the credibility of scholarly articles.
    • The peer review process is crucial for maintaining the quality and reliability of scholarly articles. Before publication, experts in the field rigorously evaluate the research methodology, data analysis, and conclusions drawn by the authors. This critical assessment helps identify any flaws or biases in the research, ensuring that only credible and high-quality work is published, which strengthens the overall integrity of academic literature.
  • Evaluate how the structure of a scholarly article aids in presenting research findings effectively.
    • The structured format of a scholarly article is designed to facilitate clear communication of research findings. Each section serves a distinct purpose: the abstract summarizes key points; the introduction outlines the research question; the methodology details how the study was conducted; results present data; and discussion interprets the findings. This logical organization not only helps readers follow the research process but also allows them to critically assess its validity and implications within a broader context.

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