Would you rather stalk your prey from the bushes, following the trail to find the right moment to strike, or would you scavenge those same bushes collecting any and all objects that are even remotely useful?
These two situations can be applied to research methods I have utilized in my own career as a student. Coming into college, my favorite method arose from the need to fulfill requirements, something I mentioned in an earlier blog. Essentially, I relied purely on my skills as a hunter to find the source(s) capable of receiving a “good” grade. That strategy became the only one I truly understood and therefore the only one I relied on upon to consistently provide me with the information necessary to complete the task.
Klein’s article demonstrated that the alternative offers a more holistic view of a topic. What I mean is that the method of collecting everything and anything remotely useful will provide an idea of the complexities and nuances of an unfamiliar topic. This method becomes an opportunity to raise more questions which (hopefully) fuels a curiosity to pursue the answers to those questions.
In light of this new knowledge about harvesting information (pretty much without prejudice), I realized just how frequently it appears in my daily life. When I stroll through websites such as CNN or Reddit, I find myself surrounded by threads or articles I know nothing about. The lack of familiarity with the topic pushes me to encyclopedias such as Wikipedia to learn more.
The developments, both technological and social, made in the 21st century promote a blend of both “hunters” and “gatherers.” This is the result of a natural curiosity shared by each individual to satisfy the questions developed by exposure to new information. The answer when posed the question, “Are you a hunter or a gatherer?” is the following gif.
