LIBR 245-10
ADVANCED ONLINE SEARCHING
Spring 2005

Instructor: Amelia Kassel
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Greensheet

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GREENSHEET

| Textbooks/Articles/Readings | Course Requirements | Grading | Other Comments |

The Instructor reserves the right to revise the Greensheet prior to or during the semester.

Course Description

This course provides students an opportunity to conduct real-world research projects. Students will use major commercial/professional database services, complex search strategies, and appropriate Web-based sources, including the Invisible Web. The focus is on business, market, and competitive intelligence research, although students may fulfill assignments based on other interests. We will also examine contemporary issues in electronic information retrieval and delivery such as quality of information, formats, value-added deliverables, copyright, and cost. Students will complete assigned readings, design and carry out research projects, and submit original papers examining contemporary online searching issues. Participation in weekly BlackBoard discussions is mandatory.

Prerequisites

  • LIBR244 – Online Searching
  • Knowledge of and skills in searching two of the Big Three (Dialog, Factiva, and LexisNexis) is required. Student passwords will be made available early in the semester.

Course Objectives

Students will learn to:

  • Evaluate the tradeoffs between free and fee-based online services
  • Apply online resources in a strategic way to answer complex questions
  • Use techniques to create value-added deliverables
  • Understand and deal with some of the significant issues surrounding online information retrieval and use

This course meets SLIS teaching objective 2 and research objective 1.

Required Texts

  1. Introduction to Online Market and Industry Research, 1st Edition, 2004 by Cynthia L. Shamel - available from Barnes and Noble Online http://www.barnesandnoble.com or http://e-catalog.thomsonlearning.com/155 Search on Shamel
  2. The Skeptical Business Searcher, by Robert Berkman, CyberAge Books, September 2004 http://books.infotoday.com/books/SkepticBusinessSearcher.shtml
  3. Select one or more of the Super Searcher book series. A complete list of titles is available at http://www.infotoday.com/supersearchers

Required Articles

  1. The High Cost of Not Finding Information by Susan Feldman, KMWorld, Volume 13, Issue 3, March 2004 http://www.kmworld.com/publications/magazine/index.cfm?action=readarticle&Article_ID=1725&Publication_ID=108
  2. Value-Added Deliverables: Rungs on the Info Pros Ladder To Success, by Amelia Kassel, SEARCHER, the Magazine for Database Professionals, November/December 2002, Cover Story & page 42. www.infotoday.com/searcher/nov02/kassel.htm

Recommended Readings (Depending on Interests.)

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Course Requirements

  1. Read assigned books and articles, some of which will be included in lectures or course documents posted to BlackBoard as the semester evolves.

  2. Based on readings and discussion, contribute thoughtful, substantive comments, analysis, and questions to Blackboard Discussion Boards on a weekly basis minimally.

  3. Submit a case study or research scenario that contains research using multiple online resources including Web and commercial for-fee services. Examples and formats are contained in the Shamel text. Projects will include the following components:

    • Developing and outlining an effective overall search strategy
    • Identifying and evaluating potential sources of information
    • Conducting research using the appropriate system/site protocols and search engines
    • Analyzing and summarizing the results

    An alternative is to find a client (student, professor, family member, friend, etc.) who has an information need that can be searched online and conduct the following steps:

    • Interview your client
    • Conduct the search in as many files as you think necessary
    • Supply your client with the search and request comments on the success of the search for his or her need
    • Submit a copy of the query, interview questions, search statements, actual search results, and the client’s comments about the results.

    Due Date for No. 3 above is no later than March 14th at midnight. Submit your results in a Word file to me via e-mail.

  4. Submit an original paper on a significant issue in the online information environment. Topics can be gleaned from required reading and class discussion or students may explore other areas with the instructor's approval. The paper should be 10 to 15 pages long and include additional supporting examples, documentation, and references. Follow APA standards for composition and bibliography. All products will be evaluated on their fit with the objectives of the assignments and your stated goals, normal standards of organization and composition, and quality of analysis and presentation.

    Due Date for No. 4 above is the final week of the course and not later than Tuesday, May 17th at midnight, the official last day of instruction. Submit your results in a Word file to me via e-mail.

Blackboard
This class is completely online and conducted via BlackBoard. Consult BlackBoard sections including the following regularly:

Announcements
Course Information
Course Documents
Assignments
Discussion Boards

You must self-enroll on Blackboard between January 24 and January 28, 2005 to participate in this course.

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.
  • Conduct, document, and analyze a multi-faceted research scenario or case study.
  • Research and write a 10 to 15-page paper on a topic that’s of particular interest to you and related to online research.
  • Integrate knowledge from required readings and class discussion into written assignments.

Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
Students who need accommodation due to a disability must register with SJSU's Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first three weeks of the semester. The Center will work with the students to determine the disability, document it, and determine the services and accommodations necessary for student success. Then, the DRC will contact the faculty member to determine the types of consideration necessary.

Students attending the Fullerton campus should first contact the Disability Resource Center in San Jose since they are SJSU students. The DRC will then direct the students to supporting resources on the Fullerton campus.

The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/

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Grading

Grading incorporates consideration of creativity, thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and originality.

Weekly Class Discussion and Initiative

20%

Case Study or Research Scenario

40%

Final Paper

40%

Grading Scale

97-100%

A

94-96%

A-

91-93%

B+

88-90%

B

85-87%

B-

82-84%

C+

80-81%

C

76-79

C-

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. Those regulations may be found at:

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Other Comments

  • Workload, personal, and technical problems are each student’s responsibility.
  • No incompletes will be awarded – no exceptions.

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Last updated: 11/28/05