(Please note: This greensheet is from Fall 2006. The new greensheet for Fall 2007 should be similar and will be posted in April.)
LIBR 287-10
Seminar in Information Science, Focus: Competitive Intelligence (CI) Research
Summer 2006 Greensheet
Amelia Kassel
E-mail
Virtual Office: Contact via e-mail
| Greensheet Links Required Text and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
This class is completely online via Blackboard. Students must self-enroll on Blackboard between May 26th and June 3rd. Late enrollments are not accepted. You will need an access code, which will be sent to all registered students on the MySJSU Messaging system on May 26th, 2006.
Note: This is a preliminary Greensheet and the professor reserves the right to make revisions prior to or during the semester.
Course Description
This course introduces students to the field of competitive intelligence (CI) research and covers CI processes, issues, research techniques, and a wide variety of resources for continuing study. We will discuss the role of information professionals and skilled librarians who are particularly well suited for working in competitive intelligence environments. CI is defined as the process of ethically collecting, analyzing, and disseminating accurate, relevant, specific, timely, foresighted and actionable intelligence. [Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) http://www.scip.org]
Prerequisites:
- LIBR244
- Knowledge of and skills in searching two of the Big Three (Dialog, Factiva, and LexisNexis
Course Objectives
Students will:
- Learn the basic CI vocabulary
- Develop a conceptual awareness of various aspects of CI with a focus on CI research
- Conduct CI research projects using electronic sources, including the Internet and fee-based databases such as Dialog, Factiva, and LexisNexis for finding CI information
- Become familiar with search tools other than search engines for CI research
Students will have an opportunity to improve online searching techniques while learning key issues and practices related to competitive intelligence research. Passwords to Dialog, Factiva, and LexisNexis will be provided.
This course supports the following SLIS objectives:
Teaching objective 2 and research objective 1
Required Text and Readings
Textbooks and Resources
- Burkhardt, Kim. Competitive Intelligence Workbook and CDROM, Order from http://www.burkhardtresearch.com/ci_workbook.html, 1-888-432-9119, mailto:keb@burkhardtresearch.com
- Burwell, Online Competitive Intelligence: Increase Your Profits Using Cyber-Intelligence, Facts on Demand Press, 2004.
- Carr, Margaret Metcalf. Super Searchers on Competitive Intelligence: The Online and Offline Secrets of Top CI Researchers, CyberAge Books, 2003.
- Vibert, Conor. Introduction to Online Competitive Intelligence Research, Thomson/Texere, 2004.
Kassel, Amelia. Value-Added Deliverables: Rungs on the Info Pros Ladder To Success(2002). SEARCHER, the Magazine for Database Professionals, http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/nov02/kassel.htm
Articles and other readings will be assigned throughout the semester.
Recommended Readings
- Dobson, Chris. An Introduction to Online Company Research, Thomson/Texere, 2004.
- Gilad, Ben. Early Warning: Using Competitive Intelligence to Anticipate Market Shifts, Control Risk, and Create Powerful Strategies, AMACOM, 2004
- Sacks, Risa. Super Searchers Go to the Source. The Interviewing and Hands-On Information Strategies of Top Primary Researchers - Online, on the phone, and In Person, CyberAge Books, 2001.
Required Online Resources
The following are high quality guides from the major vendors. Read or scan through these and use them as reference materials to assist you in with your projects and discussions during the semester. All of the items below can be downloaded at no charge.
Dialog
Dialog offers a number of instructional materials through the Graduate Education Program at http://gep.dialog.com. Review available sources and select those most useful to you. I've listed key materials below.
- Introduction to Dialog; Featuring DialogClassic
http://training.dialog.com/sem_info/courses/general.html#idc - Dialog Pocket Guide (HTML or PDF versions)
http://support.dialog.com/searchaids/dialog/pocketguide - Dialog Catalog 3Mb
http://support.dialog.com/publications/dbcat - Reference Card with Basic Commands (use as a cheat sheet)
http://gep.dialog.com/instruction/pdf/student_ref_guide.pdf - Choosing the Right Database Dialog Lab Workbook 2005 - Chapter 5 http://gep.dialog.com/instruction/workbook/2005_labwb_chap5.pdf
After receiving your Dialog password, you can use DialogClassic.com (http://www.dialogclassic.com) but the preferred search software for Dialog is DialogLink. Download and install DialogLink 5.0 and read the manual - see the links below. We will discuss your questions, comments, and search experiences using this software as well as Dialog advanced search commands as applicable.
DialogLink 5.0 URLshttp://support.dialog.com/dialoglink - Information and links
http://support.dialog.com/downloads/dialoglink - Manual
http://support.dialog.com/dialoglink/#downloads - Product Support LexisNexis Resources
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/244/lexisnexis.htm Factiva.com Inside Out Guide
http://www.factiva.com/collateral/download_brchr.asp?node=menuElem1526
Course Requirements
Students will read and discuss required readings, design and carry out one CI research project, and write one original paper examining topics related to competitive intelligence research issues.
Note: Participation in weekly BlackBoard discussions is mandatory. You're expected to contribute thoughtful, substantive comments, analysis, and questions to Blackboard Discussion Boards on a weekly basis and bring suggested topics to these forums.
CI Research Project (Midterm)The CI Research project must contain online research from multiple online resources including the Web and commercial fee-based services. Students will be expected to integrate knowledge from required readings and class discussion into written assignments.
Projects will include the following components:
- Identifying a topic: Students may discuss topics on BlackBoard or e-mail the instructor to discuss projects individually.
- Developing and outlining an effective overall competitive intelligence research strategy.
- Identifying and evaluating potential sources of information
- Conducting research using the appropriate online systems, search engines, and Web sites.
- Analyzing and summarizing the results
- Submitting your research as a "value-added deliverable"
Due Date for the CI Research Project is July 10th at midnight. Submit your work to me in a Word file via e-mail. Include your search strategies and research files.
Original Paper (Final)Topics for an original paper can be gleaned from required readings 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 documentation and references, plus follow APA standards for composition and bibliography. All papers will be evaluated based 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 the final project is the last day of class, August 14th at midnight. Submit your paper to me in a Word file via e-mail.
Additional RequirementsStudents must regularly consult BlackBoard sections including the following:
- Announcements
- Course Information
- Course Documents
- Assignments
- Discussion Boards
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 posted to BlackBoard.
- Initiate and contribute to discussion on BlackBoard weekly with substantive and thoughtful comments.
- Submit both the midterm research project and final paper on time. Points are deducted for late submission and assignments will not be accepted if later than one week past the due date.
- Integrate knowledge from required readings and class discussion into written assignments
Other Comments
- All students are graded on the same basis regardless of workload, personal, medical, or technical problems, which are each student's responsibility.
- No incompletes will be awarded - no exceptions.
Grading
- Grading incorporates consideration of creativity, thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and originality.
- Participation in class discussion on BlackBoard is 20% of the grade. Lack of satisfactory participation in BlackBoard results in a grade lower than a B - see the grading scale below.
Requirement |
Points |
| Weekly Class Discussion and Initiative | 20 |
| CI Research Project (Midterm) | 40 |
| Original Paper (Final) | 40 |
Grading Scale
Final grades will be based on the following grading scale established for graduate students by San José State University:
| 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 Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy at
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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