What is Original Research?

Original research is considered a primary source.

An article is considered original research if ...

the author or authors of a study or experiment describe their hypothesis and the purpose of the study.
the researchers detail their research methods.
the results of the research are reported.
the researchers interpret their results and discuss possible implications.

Glossary

empirical	pertaining to data or information obtained through experiment, experience, or observation, and which can be verified
hypothesis	a tentative theory
journal	a periodical containing scholarly articles and/or disseminating current information on research and development in a particular subject field
magazine	a periodical for general reading containing articles, stories, photographs and advertisements on a variety of subjects
peer-reviewed	see refereed journal
periodical	a serial appearing or intended to appear indefinitely at regular or stated intervals, generally more frequently than annually. Magazines, journals and newspapers are all periodicals.
refereed journal	a refereed journal has a structured reviewing system in which at least two reviewers, excluding in-house editors, evaluate each unsolicited manuscript and advise the editor as to acceptance or rejection. Refereed is used interchangeably with peer-reviewed in Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory. See What is a Refereed Article?
research	systematic, exhaustive, and intensive investigation and study, usually through hypothesis and experiment, to discover new knowledge, facts, theories, and laws
serial	a publication in any medium issued in successive parts bearing numerical or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely

Except for refereed journal, the above definitions are adapted from the ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science.

Refereed journal is discussed in A Guide to Academic Writing by Jeffrey A. Cantor found in the Reference Collection, 2nd floor, call number PN146 .C33 1993b.

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