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Home - Course Web Pages - Summer 2007 - LIBR 244-10 Greensheet

LIBR 244-10
Online Searching
Summer 2007 Greensheet

Dr. Kathryn Sullivan
E-mail
Location:Winona, MN

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Greensheet Links Textbooks and Resources Course Requirements

Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS e-Bookstore

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This class is completely online. Please enroll at the Blackboard site by May 31st. The class should be available by May 31st, at the latest. You will be required to enroll with an access code, which will be distributed via MySJSU.

This greensheet may be revised throughout the semester.

Course Description

Techniques of searching and managing online search services (both commercial databases and Internet search engines).  Topics include searching strategies, evaluation of database structures, use and evaluation of database services, and online experience.

Prerequisites: LIBR 202

Course Goals and Objectives

• The student will develop critical thinking and analysis skills needed by the librarian to help patrons with database searches in a variety of settings and formats.
• The student gains experience with the commercial and Web databases and is able to transfer this knowledge to other systems.
• The student gains familiarity with basic commands and moves beyond that to an understanding of the relationship between database structure and search techniques, and the evaluation of databases and systems.
• The student considers issues in the implementation and management of online services in a variety of settings and formats to diverse populations.

Student Learning Objectives

LIBR 244 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:  

• design, query and evaluate information retrieval systems;
• demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities.

In addition, this section supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:

• recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
• use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users;
• describe the fundamental concepts of information-seeking behaviors;
• understand the nature of research, research methods and research findings; retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups;
• demonstrate written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations;
• evaluate services on specified criteria.

Textbooks and Resources

Readings
Readings will either be provided in Blackboard or through reserve readings or online by database vendors.

Online Resources
Students can refer to the following online resources:

• Dialog
  • Introduction to Dialog Featuring DialogClassic
    http://gep.dialog.com/instruction/pdf/intro_dialogclassic.pdf (PDF: 1.2MB)
  • Dialog Pocket Guide (HTML or PDF)
    http://support.dialog.com/searchaids/dialog/pocketguide/ (PDF: 996KB)
  • Successful Searching on Dialog (also available in HTML version)
    http://support.dialog.com/searchaids/success/success.pdf (PDF: 988KB)
  • 2005 Dialog Database Catalog
    http://support.dialog.com/publications/dbcat/ (PDF: 4.22MB)
  • Dialog Lab Workbook
    http://training.dialog.com/sem_info/courses/pdf_sem/intro_dialogclassic.pdf (PDF: 908KB)
• LexisNexis
  • LexisNexis.com – The Basics
    http://www.lexisnexis.com/custserv/pdfs/legal/lo10523-3.pdf (PDF: 1.25MB)
  • LexisNexis – Commands at a Glance
    http://www.lexisnexis.com/custserv/pdfs/business/NX10748-2.pdf (PDF: 471KB)
  • LexisNexis Resources
    http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/244/lexisnexis.htm

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Course Requirements

Blackboard
This class is conducted mainly online.  Please enroll in the Blackboard site for this class by May 31st.  You will be required to enroll with an access code, which will be distributed via MySJSU. For Blackboard help and tutorials, go to http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/blackboard/

Assignments
The assignments for this course are:

• 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.  Emphasis is more on your description and analysis of steps taken, rather than on getting the right answer.  Timeline for Exercises will be posted later on Blackboard.
• Online Discussion
  Students are required to participate in online discussions via Blackboard.  A class   schedule with discussion topics (based on the readings and the exercises) will be provided. Students may also begin new discussion threads whenever wished and suggest topics for discussion as well.  Please check in on the discussions throughout the week.
• Essay
  Prepare a formal essay five to eight pages in length following APA style and all the rules of good grammar and syntax.  You can opt to work on a research project using online databases in which you describe and analyze your steps and results, or select an issue or trend to discuss.  Due the final week of the course.

Grading
The assignments will contribute to your final grade as follows:

Exercises	60 points
Participation in Online Discussion	25 points
Essay	15 points

Extra credit options, through additional exercises or online discussion participation, will be available.

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

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/

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