TYPES OF JOURNAL PAPERS RESEARCHERS CAN WRITE
Are you interested in publishing a paper in a journal? Great! However, do you know what kind of papers you could write?
There is not only ONE TYPE of paper you could write. Let us assist you to decide what types of papers are available and the most common.
- Research Paper
This is the most common form of journal manuscript written in order to publish full papers on a research. The basic characteristic here is that it is a report of original research findings on a well-defined research problem. Typically, a Research Paper follows a standard format including an Abstract, Introduction, Literature, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections and the paper length is usually range from 5,000-8,000 words depending on the journal.
Alternative Names: Article, Original Paper, Original Article, Standard Paper
- Methods Paper
This type of paper is dedicated to introducing a new experimental method, test, or procedure. The methods conferred must be entirely new, a major development or a better version of the methods established. They have a similar structure and length as a Research paper, but results are not the core of a Methods paper.
Alternative Names: Experimental Paper
- Review Paper
This type of paper offers a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art of the research carried out in a specific area. It summarizes the primary literature in a research area, which might include approximately 50-100 or more references. Review papers seek to become a reference point for scholars on the subject they cover. It does not require the author to disclose the results of their own study.
Three types of Review Papers:
Alternative Names: Survey Paper, Overview Paper
- Short Reports
These papers present brief reports of original research data that editors think many researchers will be interested in, and that will possibly encourage further research in that area. The details and scope of the research published are limited, typically varying from 1,000 to 3,000 words, nevertheless, the paper benefits from a short time before publication.
Alternative Names: Brief Reports, Letters, Short Communication, Brief Communication, Research Note, Micro Article
- Discussion Paper
This form allows for a discussion from the author’s viewpoint regarding a related subject in a published study. It is a short piece focused on constructive, evidence-based criticism on this work and encourages authors to suggest a new hypothesis or interpretation. Typically, the author’s own study findings are not presented and the length of the paper ranges from 2,000-4,000 words.
Alternative Names: Commentary, Opinion Paper, Hypothesis Paper, Perspective Paper
- Data Paper
This paper type describes data sets and findings that encourage theoretical developments and innovative researches. Classically, the paper offers insight or examples of a particular scientific application, laboratory measurements, experimental studies, modeling output, or observations.
Alternative Names: Resource Paper
- Theory Paper
A Theory Paper describes and addresses ideas and principles that are related to a specific field of study or body of knowledge, either new or existing. They do not report empirical research; however, can draw evidence and support from empirical research. Papers in philosophical studies, anthropology, literature studies, and the other subject areas related to social sciences and humanities are frequently theoretical in nature. Theory papers are less popular but equally important in medical, natural, and engineering sciences.
- Case Study
Specific cases of interesting phenomena are mentioned in these posts. Case studies aim to make other researchers aware of the fact that there might be a particular phenomenon. Widespread in medicine, they report the existence of previously unknown or emerging pathologies.
Alternative Names: Case Reports
- Educational Paper
The main purpose of this type of paper is to guide on how to apply and execute a process, a procedure, a technique or knowledge. An Educational Paper goes one step further than Methods Papers, which seeks to include very precise instructions for directing the knowledge gained by the reader. It may also advise readers on how to share their own knowledge and experience with learners or explicitly follow an instructional mode to teach readers how to do something new rather than just telling them how it was done.
Alternative Names: Tutorial Paper, How-to-Paper
10.Book Review
This type of paper is a brief contribution in which authors deliver the journal audience with a critical and impartial evaluation of a current book that has been considered to be of interest. Readers get a summary of the content of the book and an appraisal regarding its originality and value by a scholar who is an expert in the field.
At present, available types of papers in a journal are vast and go beyond the 10 most popular types of paper we’ve referred to above. The good news is that in order to write a journal article, you don’t necessarily need to have a completed super important empirical research; there are many other great opportunities as well.
If you want more help with writing a great journal paper, check out TIIKM PUBLISHELP and happy writing!
Written by
Ms. Sachithra Irugalbandara
Email: sachithra@tiikm.com