An "original" research article is a detailed account of research activity written by the scientists who did the research--not by someone else who is reporting on the research; it is a primary resource. Some instructors may refer to these as "scientific research" articles or as "empirical" research.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines empirical as: "originating in or based on observation or experience research; capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment."
Image source: "Lab Laboratory Research Scientific Science" by felixioncool is licensed under the CC0 license (public domain)
Take a look at this very helpful web page created by librarians at NCSU (North Carolina State University).
Most research articles have common elements and organization, including:
Here are examples of how some research article citations look like when included in library databases or in bibliographies. Note the very detailed titles and multiple authors.
(Also, please note that the citations above are NOT cited in either APA or MLA style.)
Image source: “Scientific citations” by Finn Årup Nielsen is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license
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