LIBR 244
ONLINE SEARCHING
Fall 2004

Instructor: Amelia Kassel
E-mail

GREENSHEET

This is a preliminary Greensheet that may be revised prior to or during the semester.

Course Description

This course focuses on learning search techniques and content for Dialog, Factiva, and LexisNexis, the major commercial (fee-based) online aggregators, and integrating this knowledge with Internet research. Students will learn how to select appropriate databases and formulate search strategies through hands-on exercises based on real-life research questions. Along with experiential learning, course topics include the history of the online information industry, current trends, and pricing issues.

The course is geared to students who are interested in professional techniques used to conduct online searches on behalf of others but is also valuable for those who require an awareness of the role commercial databases play in obtaining precision results quickly and efficiently.

Course Objectives

This course supports the following SLIS objectives:

To support the mission of the School in teaching students the major theories, important principles, and current practice in: Information transfer, information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information resources.

Students will:

• Become familiar with aspects of the online industry and its role in making information available to society in various formats
• Become familiar with content strengths of various online search services.
• Gain experience using major databases
• Gain familiarity with basic commands
• Consider management and costs of online services

Required Texts

Introduction to Dialog; Featuring DialogClassic
http://training.dialog.com/sem_info/courses/general.html#idc
Download: Introduction to Dialog; Featuring DialogClassic (PDF file, 1.2MB.)

Dialog Pocket Guide (HTML or PDF versions)
http://support.dialog.com/searchaids/dialog/pocketguide

Dialog Catalog 3Mb
http://support.dialog.com/publications/dbcat

Walker, Geraldene & Joseph Janes, Online Retrieval: A Dialogue of Theory and Practice, 2nd Ed., 1999, Libraries Unlimited. http://www.greenwood.com/books/BookDetail.asp?sku=LU6573

Hock, Randolph, The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook, Information Today, February 2004.

Additional readings will be assigned throughout the semester.

Course Requirements

• Read required books and articles, some of which will be assigned via Blackboard.
• Online Discussion: Students are required to participate in online discussions via Blackboard on a weekly basis.
• Exercises: A series of questions in which you perform online searches will be posted on Blackboard with specific instructions about each assignment. Grading is based on a brief report in which you summarize your thought process, search strategies, key terms, names of databases, and findings.

(Table updated August 18, 2004)

Essay

Prepare a formal essay five to ten pages in length on a current issue or online research topic of interest to you. Follow APA style and all the rules of good grammar and syntax. You can opt to submit a research project using online databases in which you describe and analyze your steps and results, along with techniques you have learned during the semester. The final paper, due December 9, 2004, should be submitted in a Word file via email.

Blackboard

This class is completely online via BlackBoard. Enroll at the Blackboard site between August 23rd and August 27th.

Students must regularly consult BlackBoard sections including:

• Announcements
• Course Information
• Course Documents
• Assignments
• Discussion Board

Grading

Grading for exercises is based on a combination of:

• Following instructions.
• Completing all exercises and submitting them on time.
• Evidence that you’re learning basic commands and syntax.
• Your comments – contained in a summary that indicates your thought process, strategies, and findings. This includes integrating what you have learned from readings and class discussion.
• Finding relevant results.

Grading incorporates consideration of creativity, thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and originality. Successful course participants will:

• Post a brief bio and statement of purpose to the BlackBoard Discussion Board during the first week of class.
• Read required books cited above and other reading assignments as posted to BlackBoard.
• Initiate and contribute to discussion on BlackBoard weekly with substantive and thoughtful comments.
• Integrate knowledge from readings and class discussion into written assignments.
• Submit all required exercises and the final essay on time.

Other Comments

Workload and technical issues are each student’s responsibility. Incompletes are not an option – no exceptions.

 A Statement On Plagiarism

All assignments submitted must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers as specified in class. The San Jose State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced. Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy at http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf

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