A500.3.4.RB_ValenteMarco

Explore the Hunt Library

 

The Hunt Library offers numerous resources, tools and expertise for any user wishing to find articles specific to a topic or a news outlet for general information. Moreover, the main page of the Hunt Library appears to be designed with the goal of being “user-friendly.”

The resources available from the Hunt Library range from books, articles, databases, videos, and research guide to name a few. Categorizing content appears to reflect today’s standard oppose the traditional “name of book, name of author or topic,” I remember in grade school. For example, while exploring “Research Guides” on the main page, the results show “Assignment Guides, Course Guides, How-to Guides, and Subject Guides.” Furthermore, the Hunt Library offers tutorials, evaluation tools, and Librarian assistance. All of which, will be useful as a student.

I believe there are three main factors that make a resource “Scholarly” in nature. First, the purpose of the work. As readers, a good “rule of thumb” is to always consider the purpose of the article, book, journal, etc. For example, I were to start reading my wife’s People Magazine, I would expect to be entertained with the latest trends, the most desirable fashions, and maybe even a dose of popular current events. A reader would presumably be presented with a commercial theme for products or even introduced to a popular “cause” at some level.

On the contrary, if I were to start reading my Marine Corps Gazette, I would expect to find a more specific purpose, by whom I would presume to be a practitioner in a specific field/discipline that has been reviewed and critiqued by likeminded professionals/practitioners. I believe the purpose in this case would be to discuss issues, identify approaches, and advanced knowledge about a give topic/issue. In any case, not only would the main topic/issue be clear, but experiments, data, timelines and previous sources that have been tested.

 The second factor would be the author. As a reader wishing to review a “scholarly” work, I would be curious about the author and what makes them creditable. What is their educational and professional background? What level of research have they conducted and have they ever had to defend it? What makes them a specialist of this particular topic? Who do they represent (a university or a business)?

Finally, readers should be cognizant of the publication. Traditionally, “scholarly” works are found in professional or academic journals. Prior to publication, articles and research is submitted for review and is scrutinized by practitioners in the same field. This examination ensure that the information meets certain criteria before publication, oppose to article published in the news or popular magazines.

I believe the Hunt Library’s collection of scholarly works is aligned with the points above. While I get bombarded when I “Google” something about leadership and get everything “anyone” has ever said about the topic. The library resources are works from practitioners attempting to advance knowledge.