How to Write a Scientific Review Paper

WRITING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PAPERS

I. What is a Research Paper?

There are two kinds of research papers. Primary or experimental research papers describe an experiment performed by the author. (I mean "experiment" in the broadest sense, as in a scientific investigation. The investigation may employ a rigorously controlled lab experiment, a controlled field experiment, a theoretical/mathematical investigation, or simply some new scientific observations. The key is that the body of the paper is about a novel investigation conducted by the author.) Secondary or review research papers summarize the research that has been done in a particular area. Reviews generally do not introduce much new information or new results, but rather synthesize a larger body of work, providing a new perspective on a field or question. In this class, you will be required to write a scientific review paper.

A secondary research paper or review paper is not a 'book report' or an annotated list of experiments in a particular field, but demands a considerable, complete literature review. However, beyond just reporting the results and conclusions of other studies, the review must integrate, interpret and expand these conclusions. Often, articles must be read over and over again to really understand the subtle relevance of a particular result or conclusion. Then, the independent conclusions of separate investigations must be combined into a cohesive presentation. They must be contrasted and compared; are there conflicting conclusions? Can apparent conflicts be resolved through a new outlook or interpretation? Review papers often take historical perspectives, describing how a field (and the major questions in that field) changed as more information was accumulated. Or, review papers may focus on 'the state of the art' in a particular field; interpreting divergent results and suggesting an appropriate avenue for future research.

Who writes review articles? Usually, it is the experts in a...