Field-loving Scholar

Field-loving Scholar.

The Field-loving Scholar is very much self identifying.  This scholar loves to be in the field, especially working anthropologists.  To help envision this scholar, think Jurassic Park’s Dr. Alan Grant.  This scholar is not comfortable in the classroom, prefers collecting data even more so than writing up the research.  Libraries are a necessity but not the favorite place for the Field-loving Scholar.  Working alone or with a close-knit team, this scholar may be seen in-between field projects or during teaching semesters.  He may be asking the librarian for background knowledge to prepare for the next project.  When working with the Field-loving Scholar, he may not elaborate a great deal on the kinds of materials that he needs.  Using research methods similar to the historical scholar, this person may need to have a probing reference interview to clarify specific journals or sources that are needed.  The Field-loving Scholar may also be a traditionalist, preferring print and will enjoy browsing through some of the great print reference materials for background information (Kumar, et al., 2011)