In his young age, Robert Folk is said to have developed an interest in the categorization of sedimentary rocks. Robert developed an interest in the classification of sedimentary rocks as a young child because they lacked fancy names like igneous rocks did. He grew tired of hearing the usual names for sedimentary rocks like shale, limestone, and other names. He therefore devoted his life to advancing society by researching sedimentary rocks and inventing the classification of those rocks. (UT-News 1). Aside from that, Robert Folk is praised for classifying the carbonates, which was done more than 40 years ago and has since been used in texts. He is also done tremendous work in producing a definitive book about sedimentology. Nonetheless, the textbook shows a bare scratch on the surface of a remarkably successful career. It is also apparent that in addition to the extensive work of Robert concerning carbonate deposition, he also became interested in other areas such as Aeolian deposits. Evidently, the geologist researched on the coloring and roundness of sand in Australia, especially Simpson Desert. Additionally, he studied about the shapes of pebbles along the beaches and rivers in Tahiti and further focused on archeological geology. Robert is also praised for studying environmental geology about limestone; classical Macedonia, Pyramid Constructions, and other Archeological work in Israel (Ransom and Sonya 85). According to various studies, Robert located several building materials and used isotopic knowledge to determine the ages of the mortar used to build structures. He also found out how iron smelting was done in the ancient periods of Israel. Further, he studied the process of ruining of ancient structures (Gates 89).
Figure 1: Robert Folk studying a marble quarry in Italy (Ransom and Sonya 85)
Markedly, Robert had unrelenting love for studying, discovering, and classifying sedimentary rocks and other related fields. His study in Italy made him discover that it is bacteria that constructed Roman Limestone during the springs, which was commonly known as hot-water travertine. The researcher used Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to discover nanobacteria, also known as dwarf bacteria that constructed the named limestone. Structurally, about 10, 000 of the bacteria can fit on a single pinched pin. His work led him to publish the discovery using the title "Nannobacteria in the Natural Environment and in Medicine." Though, Robert conducted further studies on the role of the nanobacteria on rock weathering and sedimentary processes (Daniel 1). More information was unveiled by NASA that claimed that nanobacteria were found on Martian meteorites, which increased the interest of Robert Folk. The imaginations of Robert were increased to capture other fields including, but not limited to nanobacterial diseases, terrestrial rocks, and the Martian meteorites (Ransom and Sonya 85-87).
Historically, Robert Folk is said to be born back in September 30th, 1925 in Cleveland. The geologist went to Heights High School and later joined Pennsylvania State University back in 1943 (Schneidermann, et al. 12-13). Robert earned his degrees at the university, which included a Bachelor of Science degree that he received in 1946, a Master of Science degree in 1950, and a Ph.D. after two years. Robert later married Paul Krynine and had three children, which became his research field assistants (Folk 41). Overall, Robert Folk is acclaimed for several research works, teachings, professions, publications, and researches on sedimentary rocks. After finishing his Ph.D., he became a geologist for the Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Gulf Research and Development Co. in Houston, Texas. Robert joined the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin in 1952, where he remained for the whole of his academic career. In the university, Robert earned several titles and chairs, but later retired as a professor in 1988. He also worked as a visiting professor in several countries such as China, Italy, and Canberra among others. During his active periods, Robert Folk authored more than 100 articles in professional volumes and international journals. Additionally, he authored a definitive textbook known as "Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks." His overall works have eraned Robert Folk honor, respect, and awards such as The Carolyn G. and G. Moses Knebel Distinguished Teaching Award and The Geology Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award in the University of Texas. He also received the Distinguished Educator Medal from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (1997), the Sorby Medal from the International Association of Sedimentologists (1990) and in 2000 the Penrose Medal from Geological Society of America (Ransom and Sonya 86-86; Gates 87-91).
The Information
Reliability
As a matter of the fact, the information used to analyze Robert Folk is reliable. It is apparent that reliability is the measure of the repeatability of information. That is, any information should be considered reliable if there is a consistency among different works. From the knowledge of literature, it is necessary to ensure that the journals, articles, books, websites, or other sources used provide similar information about the person discussed. As a matter of fact, it is obvious from the sources that Robert Folk is a remarkable geologist, professional, teacher, researcher, and author as reveled by different sources of information. Despite the fact that the books provide the information in different styles, languages, or words, the overall information is the same. The honorable and award winning geologist, professional, teacher, researcher, and author is portrayed in different documents in a similar approach. It is mentioned by UT-News that it is important to evaluate reliability by determining if the education and experience of the person is consistent or related to the subject. In essence, the interests, education, experiences, education, works, and passions of a person should also be consistent with the topic or subject of contention. For example, in this case, geology, sedimentary rocks, and other related fields should be matched with what Robert Folk did or planned to do. The empirical information shows that Robert Folk had passion for classifying the sedimentary rocks from a tender age, and even after graduation from college, that is the work he continued with (Daniel 1).
Evaluation of Reliability
This essay is mainly based on websites and articles from online sources. While Daniel mentioned that the majority of online sources might not be reliable because anyone can write something and post, some are reliable and valid. As a matter of fact, this research was pegged on reliable sources. The information about Robert Folk is relevant because it was sourced from reliable sources that are also consistent. For instance, Wikipedia and Gates agree on the point that Robert Folk had an early interest in sedimentary rocks that sheeted him to study the field, do remarkable contributions, and earn awards and honors on the same. The Knowledge in literature is consistent and the same, which make it valid, true, and reliable. Nonetheless, it should be stressed that despite the fact that little information was sourced from sites like Wikipedia, it is academically an unreliable source.
Biases
According to Ransom and Sonya, bias is the tendency of favoring a given point of view and presenting the view instead other equally valid options. The author adds that stressing on a given point of view to particular information may mislead the audience to make different conclusions. Despite the fact that the information about Robert Folk was consistent in different literature, there were certain aspects of biases. This is noted by the variations of information about the Robert Folk. For example, the Wikipedia mainly focuses on the life history of Robert Folk without putting emphasis on his academic contributions, honors, and awards. On the contrary, Daniel mainly stresses the issue of geological work without mentioning the specific contributions that he made. Gates also provides emphasis on different issues including birth, marriage, education, work experience and contributions, and honors, but not in details.
Evaluation of Biases
As aforementioned, the idea of biases in discussing Robert Folk is apparent. While it is true that the information provided by the different sources is not conflicting, it is apparent that different sources stressed on different issues. In a nutshell, there are sources that focused more attention on the life, education, work experience, and did less in discussing the contributions that Robert Folk made in classifying sedimentary rocks. For example, Wikipedia provided more information concerning the life history of Robert Folk without putting much emphasis on the education, work experience, and the contributions in the field of geology. Additionally, The UT News majored on discussing the contributions and honors of Robert Folk such as the Awards from different geological societies and entities. On the contrary, Gates provided various information including the education, life story, and work experiences. Nonetheless, there is no much emphasis on details. The essence is that the sources used to discuss Robert Folk portray him in different perspectives that should be matched to create a conclusive discussion. The variation in point of view may show insufficiency or inconclusive views, particularly to the readers.
Unfamiliar
The information about Robert Folk is quiet familiar given that several acclaimed authors such as Ransom and Sonya mentioned his contributions in the field of rock classification and geology. As a matter of fact, the renowned bodies such as UT News, NASA, and others have also borrowed ideas from the works of Robert Folk to further their studies and researches. The Awards such as the Distinguished Educator Medal from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (1997), the Sorby Medal from the International Association of Sedimentologists (1990)(Folk 47) and in 2000, the Penrose Medal from Geological Society of America also makes the information about Robert Folk popular and familiar. Additionally, Ransom and Sonya showed that Robert Folk wrote more than 100 articles that were published on professional volumes and international journals, which makes the person remarkable and renowned (Milliken, et al 111). The definitive textbook aboutsedimentology is also referenced by several authors that make Robert Folk familiar.
Evaluation of Unfamiliar
Though there are several evidences that show that Robert Folk is a popular and famous man, few issues might reveal unfamiliarity of the person. On one side, the contributions of the person in the field of rock classification, archeological geology, environmental geology, academic work, and publications apparently reveal that Robert Folk is a popular person. He is also acclaimed and honored with several awards in different geological societies and universities, with the latest award received in 2000(Schneidermann, et al 12-13). His textbook and classification of carbonates have been used for the past 40 years by many researchers across the world. Nonetheless, Robert Folk is not well documented. There is no author that provides full autobiography of the person to detail all about him. His popularity is mainly disclosed by authors that talk about Robert Folk's education, work experiences, and education.
Summary
The paper reveals that Robert Folk developed the passion for sedimentary rocks at his tender age, just as a boy. His passion was developed after graduating, when he worked on different fields and areas to further research in geology. His contributions are evident in different countries such as Italy, China, USA, and the whole world because of the open access of the online sources of information. In the paper, the researcher was keen to focus on reliable sources. This was enabled by using sources with consistent information about the life, education, work, experiences, contributions, and honors that Robert Folk received. Despite the fact that the information was not conflicting from different sources, there was evidence of biases. That is, varied sources put different emphasis or point of views concerning Robert Folk. It is also necessary to acknowledge that Robert Folk is a familiar and popular author documented for his education, passion, contributions, and several awards. He also authored many journals and a definitive textbook that makes him renowned and unforgettable.
Works Cited
Daniel, L. what-when-how 2013http://what-when-how.com/earth-scientists/folk-robert-l-earth-scientist/
Folk, Robert L. Geologic Aspects of Tell Yinam, Lower Galilee, Israel: Robert L. Folk. Austin, Texas: Geology Department, University of Texax, 1978. Print.
Gates, Alexander E. A to Z of Earth Scientists. New York: Facts on File, 2003. Print.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Folk
Milliken, Kitty, Suk-JooChoh, Earle F. MacBride, and Robert L. Folk.Sandstone Petrology: A Tutorial Petrographic Image Atlas; Version 1.0. Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks / Robert L. Folk. Tulsa, Okla: AAPG, 2002. Print.
Ransom, Barbara L, and Sonya Wainwright.Recent Advances and Issues in the Geological Sciences. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Oryx Press, 2002. Print.
Schneidermann, Nahum, and Paul M. Harris.Carbonate Cements: Based on a Symposium Sponsored by the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Tulsa, Okla., U.S.A: The Society, 1985. Internet resource.
