Research is the primary source of knowledge in the scientific world. The peer-review process helps to evaluate the information received by the researchers to decide if it should be published. According to Elsevier (2016), “the peer review system exists to validate academic work, helps to improve the quality of published research, and increases networking possibilities within research communities” (para. 1). If authors want to publish results of research, they submit it to a journal, where the work is checked to meet the journal requirements. If all the requirements are met, the work passes through initial evaluation (Elsevier, 2016). If the results are worth consideration, an expert group of people with similar competencies are invited to decide if the paper needs to be published, rejected, or revised (Elsevier, 2016). Thus, peer review ensures that the process is free of bias.
In order to compare research articles and popular articles, I decided to search for how neuroplasticity is described in different sources. The popular article by Northeastern University (2020) described how a rat with a very small undamaged part of the brain could perform similar actions to healthy ones. The phenomenon is explained by extreme neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s capacity to reorganize (Northeastern University, 2020). The article used simple language and a limited number of details, which made it easy to understand. The scholarly article by Grooms et al. (2017) discussed neuroplasticity in a more specific manner. The article provided in-depth information about what neuroplastic changes occur after an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The article includes much detail, including the description of background information, methods, results, and discussion so that professionals in the sphere may be sure to use the knowledge in their work.
Both types of articles are beneficial for students for different purposes. The popular articles are helpful for receiving basic information on the subject. Popular articles, such as the one written by the Northeastern University (2020), are easy to understand and can arouse interest in a subject. However, the information in such articles is not always reliable. Therefore, in order to receive unbiased, reliable knowledge, students should use peer-reviewed scholarly articles.
References
Elsevier. (2016). What is peer review? Web.
Grooms, D. R., Page, S. J., Nichols-Larsen, D. S., Chaudhari, A. M., White, S. E., & Onate, J. A. (2017). Neuroplasticity associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(3), 180-189.
Northeastern University. (2020). This rat had ‘no brain’ and it somehow lived a normal life.Neuroscience News and Research. Web.