The information regarding journal types included here is general in nature. When submitting to a journal always refer to their specific instructions to authors. Journals may have their own requirements in regards to article type, depending upon the discipline coverage of the publication and the specific requirements of each individual journal.

Types of articles: an overview

Research articles describe and analyse data from a research project and are used in social science, humanities, and science disciplines. They can be written at various stages in the research process, providing you have appropriate data to comment upon.

• An empirical study is a paper describing the results of an experiment or controlled study.

A case analysis presents the significant details of a practical situation and discusses its challenges, outcomes and implications. This type of article may be produced in medical/clinical practice, business and law.

Book reviews present a critique of a recently published book. The book review author should seek to evaluate, as well as provide an opinion and insight into the content.

Systematic reviews summarise research evidence that addresses a particular question. A systematic review should identify all relevant published and unpublished evidence and interpret and assess the quality of each study. Systematic reviews are used in the medical disciplines.

Literature reviews provide an overview of the published work in a particular field. A literature review can be part of a larger study or may stand alone as a research effort in its own right.

Theoretical analyses are used in the humanities, social sciences and business management. This type of article reviews and advances theory by tracing the development of a theory and then proposing a new theory, criticising errors in the old theory or suggesting that one theory is better than another.

Response articles respond to a previously published article, providing a critical evaluation of the research presented in one paper. Response articles may confirm, contradict or expand upon an author's argument.

Belcher, W. (2009). Writing your Journal Article in 12 Weeks. Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA.
Nature Publishing Group. (n.d.). Authors and Referees. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/authors/author_resources/article_types.html
Elsevier. (2012). Journal of Clinical Epidemiology: Guide for Authors. Retrieved from http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/525472/authorinstructions

Article length

Journals set their own requirements in regards to article length. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology presents the following guidelines:

• Reviews and original articles - 3,000 to 5,000 words
• Letters - 500 words
• Brief reports - 1,500 words
• Commentaries - 2,500 words.