GREENSHEET
I. Course Description
This class focuses on analogical reasoning skills related to online searching
and searching analysis. The class is broad in scope and is applicable
to a wide variety of online database services. Instruction is designed
to prepare the librarian for on-demand searching. Topics include pre-search
planning, database selection, searching strategies, search syntax, retrieval
set evaluation, document delivery, and pricing and search costs. Instruction
is based on active learning theory and is devoted to gaining online searching
experience.
II. School Goals and Objectives
Teaching Goal:
The School promotes teaching by
2. Teaching students the major theories, important principles, and
current practice in the following areas:
· The foundations of information services;
· Information transfer;
· Information management, including the selection, organization,
storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information resources;
· One or more specialized aspects of information management.
III. Course Objectives
At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Develop an online search plan using analogical reasoning.
2. Select appropriate databases for the search problem.
3. Apply appropriate search techniques and construct effective search
queries.
4. Evaluate relevancy of a retrieval set to the search problem.
5. Analyze search results and identify and apply methods for improving
precision.
6. Apply knowledge of search techniques to multiple search systems and
databases.
7. Identify document delivery options.
8. Identify current pricing and related search costs for a variety of
online systems.
9. Plan, search, and present the solution of a complex search problem
in the form of an annotated bibliography.
IV. Meeting Times
Day: Wednesdays (January 29, February 12, February 26, and March 2)
Time: 4:00 to 9:45. This includes two (2) ten to fifteen (10-15) minute
breaks and one (1) thirty (30) minute meal break.
Class/Web Structure:
There are twenty (20) hours of in-class time.
There are twenty-five (25) hours of structured search activities divided
into ten (10) one (1) hour comparison searches and five (5) three (3)
hour analytical searches. This time is devoted to online searching.
Plan additional homework/study time for completing the analytical aspect
of each assignment. Spend no more than the allocated hours searching
online for any of these search activities. If you have not found the
perfect answer after the designated time, stop searching and complete
the analysis.
V. Texts
There are no required texts.
VI. Assignments
Searching Assignments
Approximately twenty-five (25) hours of required structured instructional
time is divided into fifteen (15) online searches. There are two types
of searches, a syntax comparison search and an analytical search problem.
Syntax Comparisons
Rationale: Understanding how search syntax affects the retrieval set
is a basic search skill. The objective of this assignment is to illustrate
the impact of the search syntax on the retrieval set.
Analytical Search Problems
Rationale: High-level analytical skills are necessary for effective
and efficient searching. To accomplish this goal, the student must be
able to analyze search problems, select appropriate systems and databases,
effectively use search syntax, evaluate the retrieval set for relevancy,
and as necessary, refine the search. This assignment challenges the
student to not only perform searches, but also engage in problem solving
and analysis. It is the core of the class.
Annotated Bibliography
The ability to plan, research, and compile a relevant bibliography
using online databases is a basic skill for librarians. This assignment
is designed to give the student an opportunity to apply searching and
analysis skills learned in class, use a variety of online systems and
databases, and judge relevancy while developing an annotated bibliography
on a topic of personal interest.
VII. Grading and Due Dates
| Assignment |
Worth |
Due Date |
| Syntax Searches |
25 points
(2.5points/search) |
As assigned |
| Analytical Searches |
50 points (10 points/search) |
As assigned |
| Annotated Bibliography |
25 points |
12 March |
Late Assignments are reduced by the following points:
Syntax searches by point one (.1) points.
Analytical searches by point five (.5) points.
Annotated Bibliography by one (1) point.
Final grades will be based on the following grading scale established
for graduate students by San José State University:
100 - 97 = A
96 - 94 = A-
93 - 91 = B+
90 - 88 = B
87 - 85 = B-
VIII. Office Hours
By appointment
Email: lgarrett@mtsac.edu
Phone: (909) 594-5611 X4122
|