General Biology: Welcome

Learning Objectives:

• Identify peer-reviewed, primary research articles
• Find original research articles using library resources

Please use the yellow "Ask Us!" tab on the right if you have any questions. Also, feel free to contact me (Maggie) directly.

STEP 1:  What is a peer-reviewed, primary research article?

• Primary research article from a peer-reviewed source
  • Primary or Original research articles describe the scientists' own research, an experiment they performed themselves. Original research articles will have a methods / methodology / material & methods section that explains exactly how they tested and measured everything.
  • Watch the video above for a quick overview of the peer-review process.
• Any natural science topic (biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy)

• Social science research
• Studies in which the measurement instrument was a survey/questionnaire
• Medical case studies
• Clinical drug trials
• Review articles
  • A review article will not have a 'methods' section. In these articles, the authors have reviewed and summarized the original research of other scientists, but they did not perform their own research.

STEP 2:  Where can I find my article?

The LCCC Ludden library subscribes to many different online collections of articles. We call these collections "research databases." The best database for this assignment is ScienceDirect, but there are some others you might try as well:

Video on how to find a primary research article in ScienceDirect:

Once you find an article that you think will work, download the PDF and submit it to your instructor for approval.