Difference between Research Paper and Review Paper

Scholarly literature can be of different types. Many of them require researchers to perform an original study, whereas others are based on previously published research. Amateur researchers have quite a confusion understanding each type of scholarly literature and the difference between them.

In this article we will give you the exposure of what is research and review paper, the difference between each other and mistakes to be avoided during writing a research or a review paper. So lets begin!!

Research Paper

When researchers partake in an original study or investigation of a unique topic, for example, a study of the prevalence of substance abuse in a specific community or geographical area, the findings of that study are presented as a research paper. The most essential component of a research paper is the analysis of the topic, evidence to support the study, and the conclusion of the study. It can comprise the answer to the research question and may include a hypothesis, the resource requirement for the study, and the method followed to reach the conclusion. The formatting of a research paper is fairly similar across all subjects and institutions, though it can vary from one region to another depending on the pattern laid down by the publishing and educational bodies. This scholarly work is unique and bears no similarity to any other published work. Analysis of the data can vary from the use of software to authentic experiments.

Review Paper

Review papers are universal and can be focused on a wide range of media, including articles in journals, books, magazines, and software. A review paper refers to the study and survey of a recently published Research paper on a specific topic or subject. For instance, climate change due to industrial waste has many scholarly Research papers. These papers can be reviewed by any number of scholars for their merits. In order to write a review paper successfully, one needs to have knowledge of what other scholars have written on the subject and their thoughts on the subject, particularly in recent times. The research papers act as a reference and source material for these review papers. These can be stimulating and extremely exhaustive, with the intent of undertaking research by introducing challenging materials and facts. It should act as a summary of the original research paper with all its relevant literature on the topic.

Key differences between the Research paper and Review paper are given in the table below:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mislabeling a Review Paper as a Research Paper

One common mistake is calling a review paper a research paper. A research paper is based on your own original study, while a review paper simply summarizes and analyzes what others have already done. Mixing the two confuses readers and reduces the credibility of your work.

2. Including New Findings in a Review Paper

A review paper should not introduce new experiments, data, or results. Its job is to give an overview of existing research. Including your own findings in a review paper goes against its purpose and can mislead readers.

3. Failing to Cite Primary Sources in a Review

When writing a review paper, always refer directly to original research studies. Avoid citing random blog posts or summaries. Proper citations from reliable sources add weight to your analysis and show that you’ve done your homework.

Must Read

• 10 Must Read Machine Learning Research Papers
• How to Write a Research Paper – A Complete Guide
• Tips for Writing a Research Paper

Conclusion

For anyone entering the world of academic writing, knowing the difference between a research paper and a review paper is very important. A research paper presents original results based upon firsthand studies and data, while a review paper summarizes and evaluates already published work. Each serves its own purpose and adheres to its own format, structure, and methodology.

Starting off researchers mix up the two anyway and ends in confusion and mistakes. Knowing what each paper requires-following without committing mistakes like adding new data to a review or failing to cite primary sources-makes an important contribution toward improving the quality of your work. Clarity on this issue improves your writing and at the same time adds to your credibility as a researcher.