A500.3.4.RB - Explore the Hunt Library

I am sure I am like the majority of people who use the internet.  Like most, I use Google as my “go to” or default search engine.  Do I use Google because it is proven to be the most comprehensive search engine available?  At this point, I am not really sure what constitutes crowning a search engine as the most comprehensive.  But I do know that I use Google out of habit and it has been a dependable method of finding what I am looking for.  Whether searching for useless information such as Kim Kardashian’s latest attempt at popularity to researching information for educational purposes, I have always managed to find something relevant to my search. So when it came time to complete this assignment using Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU) Hunt Library, I knew I would have to step outside my comfort zone.  I tend to embrace change (depending on the level), so I welcomed using a different research tool and the possibility I would continue to use it.  

At first glance, the online layout of the Hunt Library is very appealing and simple.  I immediately noticed the significant difference between the Hunt Library and Google.  When performing an initial search using Google, there is one area to enter the term or terms.  After the initial search is complete and results are populated, there are options to display the results as images, news, books, or videos.  Google search results will return anything and everything related to the subject being searched.  Conversely, the Hunt Library limits searches to scholarly research which is further broken down by the books, articles, and videos tabs.  In other words, the information that is populated from a search is always going to be related to academics.  Limiting searches to scholarly material is especially effective in aiding a student in finding relevant information more efficiently.  I tested the Hunt Library search function by performing a search on a subject I planned on using for another assignment and the results were extremely impressive.  

The aforementioned assignment required me to choose a journal article on a leadership topic of my choice, to which I chose leadership development.  I selected the “Articles” tab and performed my search.  I was given a lot of usable articles, but I was able to further limit my search using a filter to only journal articles.  This method proved to be much more effective than using good old trusty Google.  I did the same search using Google and there was no order to the results and I was not able to limit my results to only scholarly journal articles.  Furthermore, the Hunt Library search reveals valuable information to a student such as the citation with multiple formats and full text online with a downloadable .pdf option.  Again, this is another tool to help a student use their valuable time more efficiently and accurately.  I am excited I used the Hunt Library to prove that just because I am used to doing something a certain way does not mean it is the best way.  Despite being a little uncomfortable with stepping away from Google as my research tool for this assignment, I have definitely embraced incorporating the Hunt Library into my scholarly research regimen.