Running head: PATHFINDER ON HURRICANE 1

Pathfinder on Hurricane

Institution

Information Literacy

Robert Mellon (ID# PP2089-1111)

Assignment #2

Lecturer: Mr. N. Nevers

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Table of Content

Introduction

Overview of hurricance ……………………………………………………………………….…. 3

Audience ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3

Subject Headings ………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Keywords used for search query ……………………………………………………………. 5

Annotated Bibliographies:

- Book ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7

- Journal article …………………………………………………………………………………… 8

- Video ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

- E-Book …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10

Search process ……..………………………………………………………………………………………… 11

Evaluation of search process …………………………………………………………………………. 11

Changes to the search process ………………………………………………………………………. 12

References ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
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Pathfinder on Hurricane

Introduction

The purpose of a pathfinder is to … (Williams, 2099). It seeks to … and to outline for its

readers that … (Smith, 2089). In addition, according to Brown and Black (2087), pathfinders

enable an individual to … According to Boxer (2056), the pathfinder is an organized, printed ...

which is designed to lead the user to sources of information on a specific topic or topics. The

main purposes of a pathfinder are to minimize the library user’s time in accessing specific and

relevant information on the topic and to assist the user in locating the information in a systematic

format. The purpose of this pathfinder is to … It will seek to provide information related to

hurricane.

Overview of hurricane

The topic “Hurricane” is not a new one as it has been in existence for a number of years.

However, people are more informed about hurricanes now than in primitive times. Despite this,

we are still not as prepared as we should have been for the onslaught of hurricanes, which caused

widespread destruction and the loss of many lives. The devastating impact of a hurricane can be

minimized, if we are better prepared.

The term hurricane has embraced many definitions. According to The World Book

Dictionary (1976), “hurricane is a wind having a velocity of 74 or more miles per hour (on the

Beaufort scale force 12); it is a storm with a violent wind and, usually very heavy rain. It is a

tropical cyclone originating usually in the West Indies,” (p. 890). However, the book, Caribbean

Environment for Geography has broadened this as it defines it as “very powerful weather

systems. They help to transfer energy from the tropics towards the poles,” (p. 17). To gather a

working definition of the term, one can therefore say that hurricanes are severe storms in which
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strong winds blow in a circle around a moving centre. In Jamaica the Office of Disaster

Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM, 2015) describes “Hurricane” as “The

Greatest Storms on Earth”; they kill more people than any other kind of storm. They further

stated that “the wind speeds of hurricanes are 119 kilometers (km) per hour and greater blowing

around a calm centre called an “EYE”. Although they cannot be controlled, with adequate

warning and observance of safety precautions, lives and property can be saved.

One aspect of a hurricane is storm surges. Bell (2088) has stated that the storm surge is

the most dangerous of the three major hazards (storm, surges, high winds, flood rains),

accompanying a hurricane. This is a great dome of water often as much as 80 km wide that

sweeps across the coastline (Riley & King, 2048). This surge aided by the hammering effect of

breaking waves, acts like a giant bulldozer sweeping everything in its path (Hemmings, Green,

Oliver & Johnson, 2059). The stronger the hurricane, the higher and more powerful the surge

will be. The awesome, destructive potential of storm surges can hardly be over–estimated (Bell,

2088).

Hurricanes are always accompanied by torrential rains which generally last for a few

days even after the hurricane has passed. They occur sometimes over the North Atlantic Ocean

or the Gulf of Mexico (ODPEM, 2077). They develop as a result of some disturbance in the

Trade Winds. When a hurricane is born, the speed of the wind develops quickly and reaches 120

km per hour. The warmth of the sea over which the hurricane passes helps the hurricane to pick

up forces as it moves along. The distance across a hurricane can be as much as 1000km.

Persons who live near to a sea coast can be affected by storm surges. Such persons are

advised to evacuate to the nearest public shelter or to the home of a friend or relative, who lives

inland.
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Audience, Subject headings and Keywords

Intended Audience

This pathfinder is intended for (specify audience) at the as well as the tertiary level

students pursuing undergraduate or higher learning studies, in the faculty of Earth Science.

However, other tertiary level students and members of the meteorologist’s profession who may

have an interest in the topic may also find it useful.

Subject Headings

The following subject headings will be used to present information on the topic

hurricanes: (a) What is a hurricane; (b) Elements of a hurricane; (c) The impact of a hurricane;

and (d) How to prepare for a hurricane

Keywords used for search query

In conducting the search on the topic, the following keywords were used to help in

locating the relevant sources for the topic:

- Hurricane, storm, tornado

- Impact of hurricane; influence, devastation; hurricane disasters; effects of hurricane

- Preparing for hurricane, hurricane preparedness, hurricane preparation

The results from three of the subject heading search queries using two databases are presented in

Table 1 below.
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Table 1: Results from search query using two databases

Search query EbscoHost Proquest Database

Hurricanes OR Title:
CAUGHT IN THE STORM. (cover The evolution of hurricane -like
storm NOT vortices in three -dimensional flow
story).
tornadoes
Other information
Periodical By: Holland, Jennifer S. Kamminga Kimball, Sytske. The
National Wildlife (World Edition). Pennsylvania State University,
Aug/Sep2018, Vol. 56 Issue 5, p22-29. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing,
8p. 8 Color Photographs. , Database: 2000. 9966830.
Vocational and Career Collection
Hurricane AND Title: Title:
impact OR effect Effects of hurricanes and climate Posttraumatic stress and depressive
oscillations on annual variation in reactions among Nicaraguan
OR influence reproduction in wet forest, Puerto Rico. adolescents after Hurricane Mitch

Other information Other information

Academic Journal Goenjian, Armen K; Molina, Luis;
By: Zimmerman, Jess K.; Hogan, James Steinberg, Alan M; Fairbanks, Lynn A;
Aaron; Nytch, Christopher J.; Bithorn, et al. The American Journal of
John E. Ecology. Jun2018, Vol. 99 Issue Psychiatry;
6, p1402-1410. 9p. DOI: Washington Vol. 158, Iss. 5, (May
10.1002/ecy.2236 2001): 788-94.
Hurricane Title:
preparedness FINE-TUNNING HURRICANE
PREPAREDNESS.

Other information
Periodical
By: Horowitz, Franklin. Claims. Sep2005,
Vol. 53 Issue 9, p60-63. 3p. 1 Color
Photograph. , Database: Business Source
Premier

Annotated Bibliographies

Four sources were used that related to the topic. These sources include: book, journal,

encyclopaedia, podcast, video, news report, blog, webpage etc. (any four sources – to include at

least one print and one non-print).

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Source Type: Book

Location: XYZ Library; Call Number: R/550

Scott, R. (1996). Introduction to Physical Geography. New York, United States of America:

West Publishing Company

Summary

The book provides a comprehensive account on the topic “Hurricane.” According to the
author, hurricane is the world’s most destructive storm. It is the only large, strong storm type that
develops in the low latitudes. The book tells by definition that a hurricane is a tropical cyclonic
storm with maximum sustained winds of at least 33.5 meters per second (75 mph or 65 knots). It
mentions that in order to understand the changes and behaviour of hurricanes that occur in an
environment, one has to study earth science. From the text each reader will understand what are
hurricanes, seasons in which hurricanes start, what to do when a hurricane threatens, and
preventative measures to be taken before an onset.
Evaluation

This source was chosen because it will address two subject headings namely “What is a
hurricane” and “preparing for a hurricane”. The information is explicitly presented and uses sub-
headings to organize the information. There are actual samples of work presented in colour
which can help users in education to get an idea of how hurricanes develop and how to integrate
the content in teaching. The content appears credible since the author cites other sources and
sources were referenced. It has an accompanying website which allows users to access more
information online as well as other list of reference books.
The book has a very colourful and attractive cover; the print font is bold and easy to read.
There is a short biography of the author and he is qualified to write on the topic. The layout and
presentation of the book make it easy for users to easily navigate through the content of the text.
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Source Type: Journal Article: [Electronic Print]

Location: XYZ Library;

Vigdor, J. (2008). The Economic Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Journal of Economic

Perspectives, 22(4): 135–54.

Summary

Evaluation

This source was chosen to cover the issue of “The Impact of a hurricane”. The article is

...
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Source Type: Video

Location: YouTube

GEICO Insurance. (2013, May 22). The aftermath of a hurricane: How we can help with the

recovery process. [Video File]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/k123WBhP0E68Q1lA

Summary

This video provides the viewer with a ...

Evaluation

This video was chosen because ...

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Source Type: E-Book

Location: EBSCOhost Database

Wilson, M. G., & Hurricane, L. W. (2001). The Caribbean Environment: Upper Saddle River,

N.J: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Summary

This book gives an insight into many persons views on the topic of hurricane. Etc

Evaluation

The purpose of the e-book was to ...

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Step by Step Account of the Search Strategy I Employed

First, having received the list of topics from the lecturer, I selected hurricane since I had a

terrible experience in this regard. I located a book that I had used in high school but the

information was limited. With my knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System from the

Information literacy class, I tried to locate materials but I had to ask the librarian for assistance. I

was directed to the area of Natural Science (500) where I choose two books, one in the area of

Geography the other on Earth Science. I used Google search engine to conduct random searches

related to my topic. After getting unnecessary information I used the library database and tried

queries incorporating Boolean operators and a few truncation symbols. I had to conduct different

search queries several times because my initial queries were general and yielded too many

sources. It was after doing this general search that I came up with my sub-headings. I then

decided on four sub-headings (including what is hurricane, effects of hurricane and preparing for

a hurricane). I used these headings to develop more specific search queries I conducted my

additional searches using two databases (EbscoHost and ProQuest). From the search I selected

my four sources. I utilized the criteria for evaluating print and online sources to aid in evaluating

the sources.

Evaluation of the Search Process

My search process took approximately three weeks. This could have been reduced had I

applied the skills learnt in the Information Literacy course. According to Robust (2034), the

steps in the search process include: (a) identifying and developing a topic, (b) creating sub-

headings (c) using the sub-headings to develop search queries (d) conduct the search using the

queries (e) locate the materials and (f) evaluate the materials. Although I eventually utilized
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most of the steps in the search process, had I diligently applied the steps, I would have completed

the task much sooner and could have used valuable time to work on other tasks.

The positive experience that I gained from conducting this research is that …

Changes to the search process

Two changes that I would make to my search process are (1) I would … and (2) I would

also … First, I would change xzy because this would facilitate … According to King (2098),

when students do … this will enable them to … Had I done … then it would have enabled me to

… Secondly, I would change … but not in its entirety. Since I was able to … then …
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References

Bell, R. P. (2088). The Dangers of storm surges. The Journal of Earth Sciences in the

Caribbean, 12, (3), 89-95

Boxer,S. W. T. (2056). Preparing a pathfinder. Retrieved from: http://how-to-truly20%-prepare-

a-20%-pathfinder.com

Brown, R. B. & Black, V. (2087). Structuring a pathfinder for a library. Retrieved from

http://structuringpathfinders.com

Gladwin, H., & Lazo, J. K. (2008). Hurricane Forecast and Warning System. Social Science

Research DOI:1Q.II75/2008BAMS2606.1: Retrieved from:

http://bmj.com/cg/content/full/3217274/1433/b

Hemmings, G. S., Green, C. T., Oliver, F. J. & Johnson, D. (2059). Breaking waves, surges and

... All you need to know about hurricanes. Journal of Science, Air and Sea, 19, (4), p. 67-

80.

Hurricane (2006). World Book Encyclopaedia. 9 th Ed Volume 9. New York: World Book,

Incorporation.

ODPEM (2077). Hurricane Safety Tips For Home Owners At the Start of the Hurricane Season.

Retrieved from: http://www.odpem.org.jm/News/FactsSheets/tabid/163/Default.aspx

Riley, W., & King, B. (2048). Description of a storm surge. The Daily Tribune, 144, (45), A8

Scott, R. (1996). Introduction to Physical Geography. New York, United States of America:

West Publishing Company.

Smith, R. M. (2089). What is the purpose of a pathfinder. Retrieved from: http://what-is-the-

purpose-of-a-pathfinder.com
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The World Book Dictionary (1976). 5th Edition. New York, United States of America. West

Wing Publishing House.

Vigdor, J. (2008). The Economic Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Journal of Economic

Perspectives, 22(4): 135–54.

Williams, S. (2099). Pathfinders: Things you should know. New Jersey, United States of

America. Skyers Publishers

Wilson, M. G., & Hurricane, L. W. (2001). The Caribbean Environment: Upper Saddle River,

N.J: Merrill Prentice Hall.