In the world of academic research, the terminology around written work can often seem confusing—especially for students or early-career researchers. Words like manuscript, paper, and article are frequently used interchangeably, but they each carry distinct meanings depending on context. Let’s clarify these terms and understand their nuances so you can use them with confidence.
First, Clarification!
Academic publishing uses a variety of terms to describe scholarly work. While many of these terms overlap in meaning, subtle distinctions can shape how they are understood by journals, reviewers, and researchers. This post will break down the common meanings of:
- Manuscript
- Paper
- Article
And then we’ll explore how these adjective qualifiers impact the meaning:
- Research
- Scientific
- Scholarly
Academic Manuscript:
At its most basic, an academic manuscript (sometimes briefly mentioned as “a manuscript”) is any document containing written content. The word comes from Latin manu scriptus, meaning “written by hand.” In the academic context, however, it refers specifically to the unpublished version of a scholarly work—typically a research study prepared for submission to a journal.
In academia, a manuscript is a draft that is complete and ready for peer review, but has not yet been published in a journal.
A manuscript may go through multiple revisions based on feedback from collaborators, editors, and reviewers before it becomes a final, accepted paper.
Academic Paper:
An academic paper (sometimes briefly mentioned as “a paper”) generally refers to any academic or scientific work that is written and shared within the scholarly community. It is often used as a synonym for a published work, but may also refer to a conference paper or working paper—both of which can be unpublished.
A paper typically implies that the work is structured, formal, and may already be presented or published in an academic setting.
Examples:
- A conference presentation may be based on a paper.
- A working paper may be shared publicly before formal peer review.
Article:
An academic article (sometimes briefly mentioned as “an article”) is most commonly understood as a published academic paper, especially one that appears in a peer-reviewed journal. It is the most formal and recognized version of scholarly communication in research databases, citations, and academic journals.
An article is a final, peer-reviewed, and published version of a research or scholarly work.
The term “journal article” is synonymous with this concept and is used widely in citations and academic indexing services like PubMed, Scopus, or Web of Science.
To summarize:
| Term | Peer-Reviewed | Published | Typical Usage |
| Manuscript | No | No | Submitted or preprint version |
| Paper | Maybe | Maybe | Broad term, may refer to unpublished or published |
| Article | Yes | Yes | Peer-reviewed journal publication |
The main distinction is that a manuscript has not been peer reviewed or published, while a paper or article usually implies that the work has undergone peer review and is published (or in a final form).
Research, Scientific or Scholarly?
Often, you’ll see these terms, manuscript, paper and article used in combination with adjectives like:
- Research
- Scientific
- Scholarly
These words help further define the type and rigor of the work, though they are often used interchangeably.
➤ Research Paper / Research Article
- Emphasizes the presentation of original research and findings.
- Common in most academic disciplines.
➤ Scientific Paper / Scientific Article
- Specifically used in STEM fields.
- Typically includes structured sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion (IMRaD).
➤ Scholarly Paper / Scholarly Article
- A broader term that emphasizes academic rigor and peer-reviewed publication.
- May include research papers, literature reviews, theoretical papers, or commentaries.
While these terms may suggest slight differences in tone or discipline, in practice, a research, scientific or scholarly as an adjective means nearly the same thing—a formal presentation of findings written for an academic audience.
Differences Between Academic Manuscripts and Other Forms of Writing
Understanding how academic manuscripts differ from other types of written content—such as non-academic papers, blogs, and grey literature—is essential for researchers. These distinctions affect how your work is perceived, cited, and disseminated. Below, we break down these categories to help you identify their key features and appropriate uses.
1. Academic Manuscripts / Papers / Articles
Purpose: To advance knowledge in a specific field through rigorous research, peer review, and formal publication.
Characteristics:
- Structured format (often IMRaD: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion)
- Peer-reviewed before publication
- Cites and builds on prior research
- Published in scholarly journals or presented at academic conferences
- Written in formal, precise language for a specialized audience
Examples:
- A randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet
- A qualitative study accepted in Social Science & Medicine
2. Non-Academic Papers
Purpose: To inform, persuade, entertain, or report, often for a general audience or organizational use.
Characteristics:
- Not peer-reviewed
- May be opinion-based or journalistic
- Looser structure and variable referencing
- Often found in media outlets, magazines, or internal reports
Examples:
- A policy memo
- A feature article in a science magazine like Scientific American
- An internal white paper produced by a company or NGO
3. Blogs
Purpose: To communicate ideas, experiences, or insights quickly and accessibly—often to a broader, non-specialist audience.
Characteristics:
- Informal tone and flexible structure
- May be based on personal experience, opinion, or simplified summaries of research
- Rarely peer-reviewed
- Highly accessible and shareable, often optimized for SEO
Examples:
- A researcher’s reflections on fieldwork
- Summaries of recent scientific findings aimed at the general public
- Commentary on new trends in a specific field
Note: While blogs are not considered academic outputs, they are valuable tools for science communication, knowledge translation, and public engagement.
4. Grey Literature
Purpose: To disseminate research or information outside of traditional academic publishing channels, often with the goal of speed or reach within specific sectors.
Characteristics:
- Not formally published in peer-reviewed journals
- May include technical depth and original data
- Varies in quality and reliability—often not indexed in major databases
- Frequently produced by governments, NGOs, think tanks, or academic institutions
Examples:
- Government reports (e.g., WHO technical briefings)
- Preprints (e.g., uploaded to arXiv or medRxiv)
- Theses and dissertations
- Conference proceedings and posters
- NGO working papers and evaluations
Relevance: Grey literature is often crucial in health, policy, and social sciences, especially for current or emergent issues where time-sensitive reporting is key. However, researchers should evaluate credibility carefully before citing.
Summary Table
| Type | Peer-Reviewed | Formal Structure | Intended Audience | Indexing & Archiving |
| Academic Manuscript | Yes | Rigid (e.g., IMRaD) | Scholars, scientists | Indexed (e.g., PubMed, Scopus) |
| Non-Academic Paper | No | Variable | General, professional | Not typically indexed |
| Blog | No | Informal | Public, students | Web-based, rarely archived |
| Grey Literature | Sometimes | Semi-formal | Policymakers, specialists | Often available via repositories or institutional websites |
Knowing the difference between academic manuscripts and other types of writing is not just a matter of terminology—it reflects the standards of evidence, intended audience, and impact potential of the work. Academic manuscripts aim to contribute lasting knowledge to a field, while blogs and grey literature serve faster, more accessible, or more targeted communication goals.
For researchers, using the appropriate format—and knowing where it fits in the ecosystem of knowledge dissemination—is crucial for credibility, career advancement, and public impact.
Conclusion
Understanding the subtle distinctions between manuscript, paper, and article—and how qualifiers like research, scientific, or scholarly influence their meaning—is essential for navigating academic publishing effectively. These terms signal different stages in the lifecycle of a scholarly work, from unpublished drafts to peer-reviewed publications.
Equally important is the ability to distinguish academic manuscripts from other forms of writing such as non-academic papers, blogs, and grey literature. While each plays a role in communicating knowledge, they differ in purpose, audience, credibility, and impact.
For students, researchers, and professionals alike, mastering this terminology isn’t just about semantics—it’s about developing scholarly fluency and credibility. Whether you’re preparing your first manuscript, reviewing literature, or choosing the right format for your work, these distinctions guide not just how you write—but also how you’re understood.
