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The Serials Department houses our current print journals, magazines, and newspapers, and also maintains bound volumes, microfilm, and microfiche collections. A "serial" is defined as any publication issued in successive parts which are intended to be continued indefinitely.  These publications may be issued in print, non-print, and/or electronic format.


Common types of serials include: abstracts and indexes, newsletters, almanacs and yearbooks, newspapers, annual reviews and proceedings, popular magazines, directories, research journals, electronic databases, and trade publications.

For your convenience there is a copier, microfilm and microform readers available.

The LRC also maintains subscriptions to the EBSCO Electronic Journal Service as well as over 50 Databases.



What is a Scholarly Source?


A scholarly source is a publication, such as a journal, that includes papers and articles which document and discuss the results of original research. This is one of the primaryways researchers use  to communicate the results of their research to others in their field of study. Consequently the language used is often technical and discipline specific. The research is submitted to the publisher in a format which includes the methodology used to conduct the research and the results of the research. Sources are documented in a bibliography and the credentials of the author(s) are given in the paper. The scholarly source publishes the research after it has gone through a process of review by a panel of experts in that specific field of study, and has fulfilled the requirements of a scholarly article.


What is a Popular source?


A popular source is a publication, such as a newspaper or magazine that you could buy in a grocery store. It includes articles reporting current events or summarizing general research. It is one of the primary methods used to communicate information to the public. Articles are usually a short overview of a topic presented in everyday language. It is often illustrated with pictures and advertisements. The information is often written by journalists. Sources may be quoted, but there are no bibliographies.



Characteristics of Popular Magazines and Scholarly Journals



Popular Magazines

Scholarly Journals


Report current events


Summarize research of general interest

Report results of research


General population

Scholars, researchers and students in a particular field of study



Often unnamed


Always named



Long (5 pages+); Frequently shorter in the sciences

Pictures, advertisements

Describe research methodologies

No citations (sources)


Everyday language

Technical or specialized

Not peer reviewed*



*Peer-reviewed articles are those that have been reviewed and accepted for publication in a journal by a selected panel of recognized experts in the field of study covered by that journal.

Thanks to the University of Miami.










Is My Article Scholarly?
If it is, most of the following will be true.
  1. Is the article written by experts (scholars) in the field?
    • Author’s name is always included in scholarly articles.
  2.  Is the article written for experts (scholars) in the field?
    • Articles written for the general public are NOT scholarly.
  3. Does the article report the results of research or does it analyze or interpret other research studies?
    • Often scholarly articles include a description of research methods.
  4. Is the article long?
    • Scholarly articles tend to be long (more than five pages in the humanities and more than two pages in the sciences).
  5. Does the article have a bibliography?
    • Scholarly articles always have a bibliography.
  6. Does the article title contain technical language?
    • e.g. "Determination of fluid velocity fields with particle displacement velocimetry"
  7. Does the title of the journal seem to be very specialized?
    • e.g. Journal of Counseling Psychology or Historical Methods
  8. Does the journal have an editorial policy that includes peer review?
    • Peer reviewed articles have been assessed by other experts in the field before publication.