difference between literature review and journal article

What are the differences between an article review and a literature review?

An article review is limited to a singlee article; whereas, a literature review is a thematic synthesis of the breadth of scholarly sources available on the research topic. While an article review may be a few pages, literature reviews are much more extensive at 30–50+ pages, in length. Further, the literature review establishes the basis for research by understanding what is known, and yet unknown, in the literature, such that new research can be conducted to add findings to the body of knowledge, which would not be true for an article review.

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Answered By: Sarah Naomi Campbell Last Updated: Sep 07, 2018     Views: 209653

Watch this short video to learn about types of scholarly articles, including research articles and literature reviews!

Not in the mood for a video? Read on!

What's the difference between a research article and a review article?

Research articles , sometimes referred to as empirical  or primary sources , report on original research. They will typically include sections such as an introduction, methods, results, and discussion.

Here is a more detailed explanation of research articles .

Review articles , sometimes called literature reviews  or secondary sources , synthesize or analyze research already conducted in primary sources. They generally summarize the current state of research on a given topic.

Here is a more detailed explanation of review articles .

The video above was created by the Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries .

The defintions, and the linked detailed explanations, are paraphrased from the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 6th ed .

The linked explanations are provided by the Mohawk Valley Community College Libraries .

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Scholarly Articles: How can I tell?

• Journal Information

Literature Review

• Author and affiliation
• Introduction
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The literature review section of an article is a summary or analysis of all the research the author read before doing his/her own research. This section may be part of the introduction or in a section called Background. It provides the background on who has done related research, what that research has or has not uncovered and how the current research contributes to the conversation on the topic. When you read the lit review ask:

• Does the review of the literature logically lead up to the research questions?
• Do the authors review articles relevant to their research study?
• Do the authors show where there are gaps in the literature?

The lit review is also a good place to find other sources you may want to read on this topic to help you get the bigger picture.

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How to Write a Literature Review

• What is a literature review

How is a literature review different from a research paper?

• What should I do before starting my literature review?
• What type of literature review should I write and how should I organize it?
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The purpose of an academic research paper is to develop a new argument. The literature review is one part of a research paper. In a research paper, you use the literature review as a foundation and as support for the new insight that you contribute. The focus of a literature review, however, is to summarize and analyze the arguments and ideas of others without adding new contributions.

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Literature Review vs Research Paper: What’s the Difference?

by  Antony W

January 8, 2023

This is a complete student’s guide to understanding literature review vs research paper.

We’ll teach you what they’re, explain why they’re important, state the difference between the two, and link you to our comprehensive guide on how to write them.

Literature Review Writing Help

Writing a literature review for a thesis, a research paper, or as a standalone assignment takes time. Much of your time will go into research, not to mention you have other assignments to complete. 

If you find writing in college or university overwhelming, get in touch with our literature review writers for hire at 25% discounts and enjoy the flexibility and convenience that comes with professional writing help. We’ll help you do everything, from research and outlining to custom writing and proofreading.

What is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a secondary source of information that provides an overview of existing knowledge, which you can use to identify gaps or flaws in existing research. In literature review writing, students have to find and read existing publications such as journal articles, analyze the information, and then state their findings.

Credit: Pubrica

You’ll write a literature review to demonstrate your understanding on the topic, show gaps in existing research, and develop an effective methodology and a theoretical framework for your research project.

Your instructor may ask you to write a literature review as a standalone assignment. Even if that’s the case, the rules for writing a review paper don’t change.

In other words, you’ll still focus on evaluating the current research and find gaps around the topic.

Types of Literature Reviews

There are three types of review papers and they’re a follows:

 1. Meta-analysis

In meta-analysis review paper, you combine and compare answers from already published studies on a given subject.

2. Narrative Review

A narrative review paper looks into existing information or research already conducted on a given topic.

3. Systematic Review

You need to do three things if asked to write a systematic review paper.

First, read and understand the question asked. Second, look into research already conducted on the topic. Third, search for the answer to the question from the established research you just read.

What’s a Research Paper?

A research paper is an assignment in which you present your own argument, evaluation, or interpretation of an issue based on independent research.

In a research paper project, you’ll draw some conclusions from what experts have already done, find gaps in their studies, and then draw your own conclusions.

While a research paper is like an academic essay, it tends to be longer and more detailed.

Since they require extended research and attention to details, research papers can take a lot of time to write.

If well researched, your research paper can demonstrate your knowledge about a topic, your ability to engage with multiple sources, and your willingness to contribute original thoughts to an ongoing debate.

Types of Research Papers

 There are two types of research papers and they’re as follows:

 1. Analytical Research Papers

 Similar to analytical essay , and usually in the form of a question, an analytical research paper looks at an issue from a neutral point and gives a clear analysis of the issue.

Your goal is to make the reader understand both sides of the issue in question and leave it to them to decide what side of the analysis to accept.

Unlike an argumentative research paper, an analytical research paper doesn’t include counterarguments. And you can only draw your conclusion based on the information stretched out all through the analysis.

2. Argumentative Research Papers

In an argumentative research paper, you state the subject under study, look into both sides of an issue, pick a stance, and then use solid evidence and objective reasons to defend your position.

In   argumentative writing, your goal isn’t to persuade your audience to take an action. 

Rather, it’s to convince them that your position on the research question is more accurate than the opposing point of views.

Regardless of the type of research paper that you write, you’ll have to follow the standard outline for the assignment to be acceptable for review and marking.

Also, all research paper, regardless of the research question under investigation must include a literature review.

Literature Review vs Research Paper

The table below shows the differences between a literature review (review paper) and a research paper. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. is there a literature review in a research paper.

A research paper assignment must include a literature review immediately after the introduction chapter.

The chapter is significant because your research work would otherwise be incomplete without knowledge of existing literature. 

2. How Many Literature Review Should Be in Research Paper?

Your research paper  should have only one literature review. Make sure you write the review based on the instructions from your teacher.

Before you start, check the required length, number of sources to summarize, and the format to use. Doing so will help you score top grades for the assignment. 

3. What is the Difference Between Research and Literature?

Whereas literature focuses on gathering, reading, and summarizing information on already established studies, original research involves coming up with new concepts, theories, and ideas that might fill existing gaps in the available literature.

4. How Long is a Literature Review?

How long a literature review should be will depend on several factors, including the level of education, the length of the assignment, the target audience, and the purpose of the review.

For example, a 150-page dissertation can have a literature review of 40 pages on average.

Make sure you talk to your instructor to determine the required length of the assignment.

5. How Does a Literature Review Look Like?

Your literature review shouldn’t be a focus on original research or new information. Rather, it should give a clear overview of the already existing work on the selected topic.

The information to review can come from various sources, including scholarly journal articles , government reports, credible websites, and academic-based books. 

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

Kinesiology: Peer Review vs Literature Review

• Peer Review vs Literature Review
• Evaluating Information

What is Peer Review?

Peer Review is a critical part of evaluating information. It is a process that journals use to ensure the articles they publish represent the best scholarship currently available, and articles from peer reviewed journal are often grounded in empirical research. When an article is submitted to a peer reviewed journal, the editors send it out to other scholars in the same field (the author's peers) to get their opinion on the quality of the scholarship, its relevance to the field, its appropriateness for the journal, etc. Sometimes, you'll see this referred to as "refereed." 

Publications that don't use peer review (Time, Cosmo, Salon) rely on an editor to determine the value of an article. Their goal is mainly to educate or entertain the general public, not to support scholarly research.

Some of the library’s databases will allow you to limit your search to scholarly journals. When you enter your search term(s), you can check the  Peer Reviewed  boxes and run your search with confidence that results will be from peer reviewed journals.  The image below is from an EBSCO database, CINAHL. 

KEEP IN MIND THAT PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS ALSO CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS NOT PEER REVIEWED  -- book reviews, letters to the editor, short commentary and editorial commentary are not peer reviewed. 

You can access  Ulrich's Web  to see if a particular journal is peer reviewed. (highlighted stars mean that those titles are peer reviewed).

If you are unsure, please reach out to your Librarian and we will assist you. 

Search Tips

Interfaces and search options vary across databases, but best practices for searching are relatively consistent across interfaces. No matter which database you choose, remember these important tips...

1) Don't search wth your topic as a single phrase!  Determine the key concepts of your topic. Then place each concept in its own search bar.  For example...

2) Use ORs  to string together synonyms or related terms for core concepts...

3) Use truncation,  when appropriate. Adding an * to the end of a word will catch all forms of that word. For example,  teach*  will return  teach, teachers, teaching , etc.

4) Look for the "peer reviewed" limit  in each database. You can set this limit on the main search screen (before you search) or narrow your results after you've started your search. Typically, this option is available in the Advanced Search settings.

5) Set Date and Full Text limits  as appropriate for your topic..

APA Resources

Basics of Seventh Edition APA Style Free Tutorial from the American Psychological Association

Purdue OWL APA Formatting and Style

• Student Paper Checklist (Concise Guide Version) Use this checklist while writing your paper to make sure it is consistent with seventh edition APA Style. This checklist corresponds to the writing and formatting guidelines described in full in the Concise Guide to APA Style (7th ed.).

What is a Lit Review?

Think of scholarly papers like a conversation. A paper takes a look at what people are saying on a particular topic and then adds something new to the conversation based on their own research. A literature review is how scholars get caught up on the conversation so they will know what to say or ask next.

A literature review can be just a simple summary of the sources, but it usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis.

A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that information. It might give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations. Or it might trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates.

Literature review

A literature review is a critical summary of what the scientific literature says about your specific topic or question. Often student research in APA fields falls into this category. Your professor might ask you to write this kind of paper to demonstrate your familiarity with work in the field pertinent to the research you hope to conduct. 

While the APA Publication Manual does not require a specific order for a literature review, a good literature review typically contains the following components:

• Introduction
• Thesis statement
• Summary and synthesis of sources
• List of references

Some instructors may also want you to write an abstract for a literature review, so be sure to check with them when given an assignment. Also, the length of a literature review and the required number of sources will vary based on course and instructor preferences.

NOTE:  A literature review and an annotated bibliography are  not  synonymous. While both types of writing involve examining sources, the literature review seeks to synthesize the information and draw connections between sources. If you are asked to write an annotated bibliography, you should consult the  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association  for the APA Format for Annotated Bibliographies.

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PSYC 200 Lab in Experimental Methods (Atlanta)

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Empirical vs. Review Articles

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Know the difference between empirical and review articles.

Empirical article An empirical (research) article reports methods and findings of an original research study conducted by the authors of the article.  

Literature Review article A review article or "literature review" discusses past research studies on a given topic.

Know the difference between scholarly and non-scholarly articles.

"Scholarly" journal = "Peer-Reviewed" journal = "Refereed" journal

When researching your topic, you may come across many different types of sources and articles. When evaluating these sources, it is important to think about: 

• Who is the author? 
• Who is the audience or why was this written? 
• Where was this published? 
• Is this relevant to your research? 
• When was this written? Has it been updated? 
• Are there any citations? Who do they cite?  

Helpful Links and Guides

Here are helpful links and guides to check out for more information on scholarly sources: 

• This database contains data on different types of serials and can be used to determine whether a periodical is peer-reviewed or not:  Ulrich's Periodicals Directory  
• The UC Berkeley Library published this useful guide on evaluating resources, including the differences between scholarly and popular sources, as well as how to find primary sources:  UC Berkeley's Evaluating Resources LibGuide
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• Planning to Write

Q: What is the difference between a research paper and a review paper?

This is my first attempt at writing a scientific paper and I am thinking of writing a review article. I want to know what is the exact difference between a research paper and a review paper. Will a review paper be published by a good journal?

Asked on 21 Jan, 2015

A research paper is based on original research. The kind of research may vary depending on your field or the topic (experiments, survey, interview, questionnaire, etc.), but authors need to collect and analyze  raw data and conduct  an original study. The research paper will be based on the analysis and interpretation of this data.

A review article or review paper is based on other published articles. It does not report original research. Review articles generally summarize the existing literature on a topic in an attempt to explain the current state of understanding on the topic. Review articles can be of three kinds:

• A narrative review explains the existing knowledge on a topic based on all the published research available on the topic.
• A systematic review searches for the answer to a particular question in the existing scientific literature on a topic.
• A meta-analysis compares and combines the findings of previously published studies, usually to assess the effectiveness of an intervention or mode of treatment.

Review papers form valuable scientific literature as they summarize the findings of existing literature. So readers can form an idea about the existing knowledge on a topic without having to read all the published works in the field. Well-written review articles are popular, particularly in the field of medicine and healthcare. Most reputed journals publish review articles. However, you should check the website of the journal you wish to get published in to see if they accept such articles. If published in a good peer-reviewed journal, review articles often have a high impact and receive a lot of citations.

If you are new to writing research papers, I would recommend taking this course designed exclusively for early career researchers:  An in-depth academic publishing course for young researchers . 

Related reading:

• 5 differences between a research paper and a review paper  
• The complete guide to writing a brilliant research paper

Answered by Editage Insights on 30 Mar, 2017

• Upvote this Answer

what is the meaning of an overview article ? can we conseder it as a research paper or review one?

Answered by aicha aicha on 15 Nov, 2018

Hi everyone. I am a new here. I think that a research paper is a piece of academic writing based on its author's original research on a particular topic. It can be either a term paper, a masters thesis or a doctoral dissertation. And a review article is an article that summarizes the current state of understanding on a topic. 

Answered by nic faust on 28 Jan, 2019

its a nice one

Answered by parry roy on 09 May, 2019

Research paper   sometimes referred to as empirical or primary sources, report on original research. They will typically include sections such as an introduction, methods, results, and discussion. Review paper , sometimes called literature reviews or secondary sources, synthesize or analyze research already conducted in primary sources. They generally summarize the current state of research on a given topic.

Answered by Christian Baker on 30 Jul, 2019

Answered by Maria Smith on 28 Jan, 2020

A research paper is all about research and a review paper tells you about giving reviews.

Answered by Freddie Woods on 14 Oct, 2021

A research paper presents original findings or results from a study, while a review paper summarizes and analyzes existing research on a particular topic, providing an overview of the current state of knowledge.

Answered by Muskan Choudhary on 26 Jul, 2023

This content belongs to the Conducting Research Stage

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