A research article (primary sourcearticle)reports new or original data.
In the sciences, this can be experimental results, new analysis of existing data, or a meta-analysis that combines data from several different studies. Research can be quantitative (based on numbers) or qualitative (non-numeric; e.g., narrative, personal experience, and interviews).
To identify a research article/primary source article, read the abstract. If the abstract describes specific methodology or results, then the article is most likely a primary source or research article. On the other hand, if the abstract summarizes information about a subject, the article is probably a review article or secondary source.
Some databases (like CINAHL) have limiters which allow you to search for only research articles.
