What+is+a+Pathfinder?

An introduction on the BA Library Pathfinders --

__What is a Pathfinder?__ A **Pathfinder** serves as a resource and guide for the researcher to find his/her specific information on a topic (Vandergift, 1995). It provides basic resources to help the researcher start off on the course of his/her research. It offers the researcher options and choices on the steps he/she will take in the next stage of research. It lends opportunity to plan research strategies and eliminate dead ends.

__How is information organized in a Pathfinder?__ A **Pathfinder** contains a list of information sources -- arranged accordingly by subject and topic -- specialized sources ranging from primary to secondary sources in a variety of formats (print, online and audiovisual), databases and websites, bibliographies, agencies and institutions where information can be collected, local and academic libraries. In this case, the subjects found in the History HL Pathfinder came from the possible topics of research in your course.

Note that pathfinders are dynamic. It responds to the changing needs of researchers and the constant development of information resources, media and technology. Therefore, the resources in each pathfinder will change as the researcher journey on in his/her research. Do inform your librarian or library staff on any changes. Change may refer to a web link you found essential to your research work and that you need to archive it. Then, the pathfinder can be the venue for the archiving work.

__How do you use a Pathfinder?__ For web links, you may go directly to it by a click of a mouse. For other resources listed in the Pathfinder like, books, AV materials, resource persons, agencies and institutions, you may have to read carefully on their points of access. If all else fail, ask your librarian or send an email to librarian@beaconacademy.ph.