If you are able to answer “yes” to a larger number of questions below, it is more likely that you have identified a scholarly article:
Does the periodical title depict a very specific subject area?
Does the article have a complex and lengthy title?
Are the authors’ names listed along with their degrees, titles, or other credentials and/or the names of the institutions with which they are affiliated (particularly colleges or universities)?
Was the article cited in a subject-specific index or database (e.g. Education Index, Medline, Sociological Abstracts)?
Does the periodical title contain the words Journal, Studies, Research, or Review?
Is the article long – more than five pages?
Does the article use technical language and specialized vocabulary?
Does it assume some subject knowledge on the part of the reader?
Is it complex and not easily comprehended by a general reader?
Does the article include footnotes, a bibliography, or list of references?
Is the text accompanied by tables and charts, but not many photos or drawings (unless the field is visually oriented, such as art, design, or architecture)?
Does the article report on the results of research or experiments?
Does the article include a review of the literature, i.e., a summary of other articles written on the topic?
Does an abstract or summary of the article appear before the article itself begins?
Write about the history and some theories regarding the development of the healthcare delivery system in the US.