Scientific Quarterly Journal
Types of Scientific Articles
According to the Regulation of Scientific Journals by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, dated 22/04/2019, the types of scientific articles are as follows:
These articles focus on solving a specific problem and include three types: research, review, and case study.
The main feature of a review article is the critical analysis and comparison of the literature on a specific topic, emphasizing a particular problem. Such articles aim to identify relationships, contradictions, and inconsistencies in the field and to present the current status and progress of research on the problem. Review articles require a comprehensive understanding of the topic by the author. The purpose of a review article is not only to summarize information but also to evaluate and interpret previous findings and present the author's perspective. Articles that merely compile or repeat others’ statements are not considered review articles.
Types of Review Articles
Systematic Review: A systematic review is a structured, methodical, and transparent review of existing research. Its goal is to provide a clear answer to a defined scientific question. All relevant studies are identified, assessed for methodological quality according to standard criteria, and synthesized to provide a concise summary for readers. Key steps include literature search, quality assessment, data extraction, and preparation for meta-analysis.
Meta-analysis: A subset of systematic reviews that employs statistical methods to combine results from independent studies to identify the most accurate relationships between variables. Writing a meta-analysis typically involves six steps: defining a precise research question, initial structured article selection, quality assessment, data extraction, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results.
Narrative Review: Narrative reviews are valuable when limited evidence or data exists. They address broader questions without strict data extraction methods, relying on a descriptive overview of the literature. Narrative reviews are more susceptible to bias than systematic reviews. Unlike simple compilations, narrative reviews must include the author’s interpretation and analysis.
Length: Approximately 6,000 words (including tables and references), maximum 10 pages
Structure:
Abstract: Up to 300 words, including problem description, research method (e.g., article selection and search strategy), number of studies reviewed, and key findings.
Keywords: 4–6 keywords
Introduction: Provides context and justification for the topic, summarizes the classification framework of the review.
Research Question or Hypothesis: Based on a detailed review of previous literature and identification of research gaps.
Research Method: Clearly explains the selection, search, number, and analysis method of articles based on review type.
Article Body: Includes theoretical foundations, discussion, analysis, and findings.
Theoretical Foundations: Comprehensive summary and analysis of prior studies.
Discussion: Interpretation and comparison of findings with previous research.
Results/Findings: Reporting and analysis of research outcomes.
Conclusion: Summarizes the main results and answers the research question. References are not allowed; the author’s analysis should be presented.
Reference List: Complete bibliographic details of all sources cited (both Persian and English), formatted according to journal guidelines. Avoid including uncited sources.
These articles present a new problem or a novel approach to an existing problem.
Length: Approximately 4,000 words (including tables and references), maximum 8 pages
Structure:
Abstract: Up to 300 words including problem, research question/hypothesis, method, key findings, and conclusion
Keywords: 4–6 keywords
Introduction: Context and justification for the research, statement of objectives
Research Background / Literature Review: Overview of previous studies and explanation of novelty
Research Question or Hypothesis: Exploratory, non-obvious, and testable
Research Method: Explains methodology and approach to answering the research question
Article Body: Theoretical foundations, results, and discussion
Conclusion: Overall results, answers research questions, and identifies directions for future research
Reference List: Complete, properly formatted, and only includes cited sources
These articles are analysis-based studies of specific cases aimed at addressing a particular problem. They are not merely descriptive and include theoretical or hypothetical interpretation.
Length: Approximately 4,000 words (including tables and references), maximum 8 pages
Structure:
Abstract: Problem, objectives, research question/hypothesis, method, and conclusion
Keywords: 4–6
Introduction: Context and importance of the study
Article Body: Theoretical foundations, description of cases, analysis, discussion, and results
Conclusion: Key insights and recommendations for future studies
Reference List: Complete and accurate, following journal guidelines
Conceptual papers do not present primary data but introduce new concepts or integrate existing knowledge in a novel way to propose relationships between structures or theories.
Length: Approximately 4,000 words, maximum 8 pages
Structure:
Abstract: Problem, objectives, research question/hypothesis, conclusion (~200 words)
Keywords: 3–5 keywords
Introduction: Context and rationale for the concept
Theoretical Foundations: Selection of theories and concepts to develop new insights
Conclusion: Integration of concepts and suggestions for future research
Reference List: Complete and formatted properly
Technical papers describe technical or scientific processes, progress, or results, serving as a primary source of scientific and technical information.
Length: Approximately 4,000 words, maximum 8 pages
Structure:
Abstract: Up to 200 words; concise summary of objectives, methods, and results
Keywords: 3–5
Introduction: Context and rationale
Article Body: Work performed, results, discussion
Conclusion: Summary of findings and recommendations
Reference List: Complete and accurate
Applied research papers bridge research and industry, using practical skills to provide solutions, interventions, or products.
Length: Approximately 5,000 words, maximum 8 pages
Structure:
Abstract: ~300 words; problem, methodology, key findings, conclusion
Keywords: 4–6
Introduction: Context and rationale
Conclusion: Summary of findings, practical implications, and suggestions for future work
Reference List: Complete and formatted properly
These articles present new or improved methods, tests, or experimental procedures, focusing on reproducibility rather than results.
Length: Approximately 5,000 words, maximum 8 pages
Structure:
Abstract: ~300 words highlighting the method
Graphical Abstract: Visual summary of the method
Specifications Table: Details of the method for reproducibility
Reference List: Complete and formatted properly
These articles present critical analysis or discussion of a topic, article, project, or book.
Types:
Editorial: Short article highlighting a topic related to the journal (~800 words, max 1 page)
Review / Critical Commentary: Critical evaluation of a topic (~2,000 words, max 4 pages)
Book Review: Critical evaluation of a book (~2,000 words, max 2 pages)
Workshop Review: Critical assessment of workshop content (~2,000 words, max 2 pages)
Project Review / Analysis: Evaluation and analysis of a project (~2,000 words, max 8 pages)
Rapid Communication / Short Note: Brief communication of new findings (~1,000 words, max 6 pages)
Structure for reviews:
Title, abstract, keywords, introduction, problem statement, analysis/critique, evaluation, conclusion, reference list
These articles summarize and interpret previous research to provide readers with an overview of a specific field or topic. They do not include original research or testing.
Length: Approximately 5,000 words, maximum 8 pages
Structure:
Abstract (~300 words), keywords (4–6), introduction, literature review, conclusion, reference list
Reference List
All sources cited in the article must be included in the reference list. Only include sources actually cited in the text. Common sources include:
www.elsevier.com/journals/journal-of-environmental-psychology
www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/frontiers-of-architectural-research