What is the difference between a working paper and a research article?

As I know working papers are written to be used for practical usage and applications but t that is Research papers which is presented in Conferences.

Regard

R. Zavaraqi, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, University of Tabriz

The distinction I operate by is: a working paper is a paper you put out for comment to a selected readership; a research article is placed in the public domain.

Working paper: You are working on a paper which is NOT ready to get published in a conference or journal yet. You have some hypothesis and or research question, you know your methods and have some primary results which can give you an idea about what to expect when the work is finished. You write down these things in the form of a paper where the work is still on progress. Can be easily submitted to conference as a POSTER or WORK IN PROGRESS PAPER.

Research paper: Everything mentioned above is complete and you are ready to show your results and findings followed by direction to future research. You show how you contribute to the knowledge domain of your subject area and how your results can be transferred for new knowledge creation. Can be sent to conference as a short or long paper, depending on the research volume.   

I agree with Mr. Nixon and Mr. Moyen. Besides the points they've made, I would also like to opine that a definite format is to be followed in the research paper to present the empirical findings in a structured way whereas working paper is more specifically designed to present new ideas and application-procedures to provoke discussions among the target group participating in the workshop/ gathering. All the best

I agree with Mr. Nixon and Mr. Arhan. Whatever points they given here is fully define the differences. Apart from that working papers are part of any running research which is yet to complete. Research papers completed in all aspects are put before the researcher and normally they get citations from various agencies. In case of working paper we can not publish it at ant public domain, it might circulated among the friends and peers for their views and recommendations for the further improvements.

A journal article is the best of the bunch, rigorous, academic, and peer reviewed. A working paper is also less formal, is a finished paper but may not have been peer reviewed. These don't get presented.

I agree, a working paper can be work in progress the researcher is placing his or her idea to be looked into, or simply still fumbling with the ideas, the ideas can later change or be modified based on comments or review. a research paper is a complete paper based on scientific investigation and data presentation.

I agree with all the points. A working paper provides when the answers for a research question or a hypothesis in an advanced stage, almost reaching conclusion but waiting for critical comments.