LIBR 244-11
Online Searching
Summer 2006 Greensheet
Virginia Tucker
E-mail
Phone: 360-961-3964 (voicemail)
Office Hours: E-mail is best; telephone appointments available
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
The Greensheet is a preliminary syllabus which may be revised before or during the semester. Updated 4-15-2006.
This class is completely online via Blackboard. Enroll at the Blackboard site between June 1 and June 5. You will need to enter an access code; this will be sent to students via the MySJSU messaging system on May 28. Late enrollments are not accepted.
Course Description
The course covers techniques of online searching, understanding database structures, and hands-on search experience on commercial search services. Emphasis is on the Dialog system, with coverage of Lexis-Nexis and Factiva. Prerequisite: LIBR 202
Topics include searching techniques and strategies, database indexing, evaluation of search services, and understanding the relationship between database structure and search techniques. In addition, students gain familiarity with trends in the online information industry and management of online services through relevant professional literature.
Course Objectives
This course supports the attainment of SLIS core competencies to
- achieve "proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies";
- apply "concepts, principles, and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance".
The paramount objective is to complete the course with
- a general understanding of online databases and how to search them in a self-assured and effective manner, and
- confidence in the ability to achieve competence searching any database or online system similar to those covered in the course.
Textbooks and Readings
Required Texts
The required textbooks for this course are:
- Introduction to Dialog Featuring DialogClassic Download and print pages 7-22 and 56-58.http://training.dialog.com/sem_info/courses/pdf_sem/intro_dialogclassic.pdf
- Dialog for Information Professionals (2005) Download and print sections 1 to 7. http://gep.dialog.com/instruction/workbook Text is also known as Lab Workbook, 2005 edition.
Additional Readings
Additional readings for this course are:
- Walker, Geraldene & Janes, Joseph. (1999) Online Retrieval: A Dialogue of Theory and Practice. 2nd Ed. Libraries Unlimited. Selected sections from the book will be made available in e-book format. Students do not need to purchase a copy.
Additional assigned readings will be made available on Blackboard, including articles from professional journals and system documentation from search service vendors.
Course Requirements
Primary Requirements
The primary requirements for this course are:
- Have the minimal home computing environment as described at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm
- Use an up-to-date virus protection program to scan assignments before they are submitted. You may use the browser of your choice, but Internet Explorer is required when doing Factiva searches.
- Check the Blackboard site daily for announcements, discussion board postings, course materials, and assignments. Students will submit completed assignments via Blackboard. Refer to due dates on the course calendar.
- Label assignments clearly: include your full name, course number, instructor name, and assignment number. For the file name, use the assignment name and your last name, e.g., exercise1_seuss.doc
- Submit assignments by midnight of the due date. Late assignments will receive reduced credit.
Assignments
The assignments for this course are:
- Online Search Exercises
The majority of class assignments are hands-on search exercises requiring that students prepare and evaluate search strategies, database content and structure, and demonstrate an understanding of techniques for achieving cost-effective and on-target search results. - Quiz
There will be one or more short quizzes to nail down basic concepts early on in the course. - Discussion Board Participation
Participation in the discussion boards is part of the course grade. Students are expected at a minimum to post two substantive (not lengthy, but meaningful and constructive) messages each week during the course. The instructor will begin discussion threads or students may initiate them. - Essay
A five- to eight-page essay is due near the end of the course. Each student will select his/her own topic and have it approved by the instructor no later than two weeks before the due date.
Grading
The assignments for this course will contribute to your final grade as follows:
| Assignment | Points |
| Search Exercises & Quizzes | 70 |
| Discussion Board Participation | 15 |
| Essay | 15 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
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+ |
Academic Honesty
Refer to the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy: http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf
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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Phone: 408-924-2490
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