Analyze the length of each article. If the article is several pages long, it is most likely a major review or major original paper, given the length needed to explain completely new research and findings adequately. If it is a relatively short, it will be a "news and review" or brief communication article, which both concentrate on summarizing existing data.
Determine the context of each article. Depending on the publication, an article may concentrate on reporting new information as a primary article or refuting and arguing old information as a secondary article, according to The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Determining if an article is a primary or secondary text is important regardless of length. Additionally, articles appearing in noncommercial publications are bound to be more reputable than those in popular magazines and Web sites.
Scrutinize the thesis of each article. The thesis is found in the opening paragraph or two, and contains the main ideas to be discussed throughout the entirety of the work. The thesis can also determine the type of article you are reading, as longer primary articles such as major reviews or major original papers have longer, more in-depth theses than their counterparts.
Compare and contrast your findings for each article, choosing the more pertinent of the two. If you are being discriminating in your research, comparing similar articles can help separate the wheat from the chaff and lend clarity to your own writing as you cite valuable intellectual resources.