LIBR 202-15
Information Retrieval
Fall 2008 Greensheet
Nancy MacKay
E-mail
Office hours: By e-mail
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
LIBR 202 Resources Online Resource Supplemental Readings Inmagic Download |
This is an online class using Blackboard. Students must self-enroll in the class August 15-26, 2008. Registered students will receive an access code by email via MySJSU. We will use Ellluminate for group discussions and three optional full class sessions.
Course Description
The principles of information organization and retrieval apply to almost every aspect of library and information science, as well as to modern life. This section will take a practical approach to the subject, with an emphasis on applying IR principles to current jobs and real life, as well as library science. Though library applications form the backbone of the class, we will also look at information retrieval in science, business, and other areas of student interest.
We will study the three major components of an information retrieval system and how they relate to each other to provide the information seeker with the information needed. First we will look at data structures, and how information can be broken down into parts and each part manipulated. Next we will look at the semantic component, how language works naturally, and how it can be structured to achieve higher results. Finally we study IR systems from the user point of view by looking at search engines, user interfaces and user behavior.
This section emphasizes group work and class discussions. Students should be prepared to share ideas and real life experience as they apply to the principles we study, and to participate actively in group projects.
Course Prerequisites
Technology. Make sure you and your computer are fully prepared with the following technical requirements for the course:
- Blackboard training, http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/slis/blackboardintro.htm,
- Elluminate training, http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/software/elluminate/students/
- DBTextworks, http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/IMDown.htm
Course Objectives
- To design, query, and evaluate a database information retrieval system, using an appropriate user model
- To express fundamental concepts of information-seeking behavior and employ them in the design and evaluation of systems
- To define a set of terms reflecting fundamental concepts of information retrieval and use them in discussions of their projects for the class.
- To understand metadata, both structure and representation, and be aware of dominant standards such as the MARC record, LC Classification, Dublin Core, and NISO 39-19.
- To understand principles of good interface design and be able to evaluate interfaces using those principles.
LIBR 202 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- Design, query and evaluate information retrieval systems
- Understand the system of standards and methods used to control and create information structures and apply basic principles involved in the organization and representation of knowledge
- Describe the fundamental concepts of information-seeking behavior
Textbooks and Readings
- Chowdhury. G. G. Introduction to modern information retrieval. 2nd ed. (Facet Publishing, 2004).
- Weinberger, David. Everything is miscellaneous: the power of the new digital disorder. (Henry Holt, 2007)
Purchase these by the beginning of class. If you order from the School’s Amazon.com site, http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/books/index.php, SLIS receives a referral fee which we use for student scholarships and events.
There will be supplemental readings throughout the semester, all available online.
Course Requirements
Complete LIBR 203: Online Social Networking: Technology and Tools
This is a mandatory 1 unit course that introduces students to the various e-learning tools used in the SLIS program, including Blackboard, Elluminate and Second Life. This course must be completed by all new SLIS students within the first 4 weeks of their first semester. If you have questions about this course, e-mail Debbie Faires or Dale David.
For more information, see http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/classes/coursedesc.htm
General Expectations
Course work will consist of reading, discussions, four assignments and two exams. Though the class is designed to support a variety of learning styles, collaboration and sharing ideas is a requirement for all coursework.
Students must be willing to work in a group setting and to take responsibility as group member, and must be available to check Blackboard at least every 48 hours, and during group assignments every 24 hours.
Incompletes will not be given and late assignments are not accepted.
Assignments
(see calendar below for due date):
- Information Retrieval from the User’s Perspective. The purpose of this exercise is to experience information retrieval as a user would, without any of the technical knowledge we will learn in this class.
Students select a topic and search for information a) at a brick and mortar library, b) from a library OPAC or database, c) on the Internet, then analyze the pros and cons of each method. Students will work in groups, compile and discuss results, and submit a single group paper.
- Attributes and Values. The purpose of this exercise is to practice describing information, to introduce classification, structured vocabulary, and the beginnings of data structures.
Students will work with a small collection of images, first describing the images both individually and as a collection. Then students will work with the terminology compiled by the group to formulate a simple structure of records with attributes and values. Students will work as a group to develop the attributes and values, but will turn in individual papers.
- Database. The purpose of this exercise is learn how data structures, rules for entering information, indexing, and vocabularies all interact to determine results of information retrieval. In addition, students will learn the importance of understanding the users of the information system, and how that determines the design.
Students will work in groups to define a user group, develop a data structure, and collect data for a database. Then they will work on their own to recreate the data structure on DBTextWorks, input data, and test the results. The paper will consist of the a description of the user group, the data structure, and an analysis of the experience.
- Evaluation of an IR system. The purpose of this exercise is to use all the principles we’ve learned in class to describe, analyze, and evaluate an existing information retrieval system, especially in meeting the needs of its defined user group.
Students will select a a) library OPAC, b) proprietary database, or c) internet IR system for an in depth study. The paper will consist of a 2500-3000 word essay.
Exams
- Midterm. This exam will test how well you understand the concepts of information retrieval. There will be a review week preceding the exam, with time for student questions, discussions, and an Elluminate session to ask me questions directly.
- Final. This exam will test your ability to evaluate and apply the principles we’ve learned. It will consist of real life situations for which students must evaluate and propose a design. Students will discuss exam questions on Blackboard, but final exam must be their original work. There will also be an Elluminate review session.
- Extra Credit. There will extra credit questions on both exams.
Other Requirements
- Clear and concise written and communication
- Access to a brick and mortar library
Course Calendar
Our week will run Sunday to Saturday Pacific Time. The week’s materials will appear on Blackboard early Sunday morning. Most assignments are due Saturday at noon. There will be three Elluminate sessions Sunday at 5 p.m., tentatively scheduled August 24, October 5, and November 30. Sessions will be recorded for those who can make the live session.
Some dates may change based on class needs.
| WEEK | TOPIC | ASSIGNMENT |
| Aug 24 | Introduction to the class | Elluminate session, 5 p.m. Pacific Time |
| 1 Aug 24-30 |
Introduction to Information Retrieval Systems | Begin Exercise #1 |
| 2 Aug 31-Sept 6 |
Representation of information/Attributes and values | Exercise #1 due Sept 6 |
| 3 Sept 7-13 |
Access to information: Clasification + Subject Access |
Begin Exercise #2 |
| 4 Sept 14-20 |
Controlled vocabularies | Exercise #2 Pt. 1 due Sept 20 |
| 5 Sept 21-27 |
Databases + Data Structures | |
| 6 Sept 28-Oct 4 |
Metadata+Metadata Applications for libraries | Exercise #2, Pt.2 due Oct 4 |
| 7 Oct 5-11 |
Review for midterm | Introduce Exercise #3 Elluminate session (tentative) Oct 5 |
| 8 Oct 12-18 |
No new material work on midterm | Distribute Midterm Oct 12 Midterm due Oct 18 |
| 9 Oct 19-25 |
Working with DB/Textworks | |
| 10 Oct 26-Nov 1 |
User point of view: searching | |
| 11 Nov 2-8 |
User's point of view: user behavior | Exercise #3 due Nov. 8 |
| 12 Nov 9-15 |
Evaluating IR Systems | |
| 13 Nov 16-22 |
Catch up week, No new material | Exercise #4 due Nov. 22 |
| 14 Nov 23-29 |
Special topics in IR | |
| 15 Nov 30-Dec 6 |
Wrap-up and Review | Distribute final Nov 30 |
| 16 Dec 7-10 |
Work on final | Elluminate session Dec 7 (tentative) Final Due Dec. 10 |
Grading
| TASK | Possible POINTS | DUE DATES |
| Participation (General) | 5 | |
| Participation (Specific) | ||
| Group contact list | 1 | August 29 |
| Blackboard introduction | No grade | 1st week |
| Exercise #1 (Group) | 4 | September 6 |
| Exercise #2 | ||
| Pt.1 | 5 | September 20 |
| Pt.2 | 10 | October 4 |
| Exercise #3 | 30 | November 8 |
| Exercise #4 | 15 | November 22 |
| Midterm | 15 | October 18 |
| Final | 15 | December 10 |
| TOTAL | 100 | |
| XtraCredit Midterm | 5 | October 18 |
| XtraCredit Final | 5 | December 10 |
| XtraCredit Special | 5 | By arrangement |
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale is utilized for all SLIS courses:
| 97-100 | A |
| 94-96 | A- |
| 91-93 | B+ |
| 88-90 | B |
| 85-87 | B- |
| 82-84 | C+ |
| 79-81 | C |
| 76-78 | C- |
| 73-75 | D+ |
| 70-72 | D |
| 67-69 | D- |
| Below 67 | F |
In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:
- C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
- B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work;
- A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.
Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0.
Academic Integrity
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability,
please e-mail me as soon as possible. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires
that students with disabilities register with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) to establish record of their disability.
No matter where students reside, they should contact the SJSU DRC to register. The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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