LIBR 285-04
LIBR 285-14
Research Methods in Library and Information Science
Spring 2010 Greensheet

Dr. Janice M. Krueger
E-mail
Contact information: E-mail is the best way to reach me.
Office location:
Clarion, PA
Office Hours: Prior to 8pm, PST


Greensheet Links
Textbooks and Readings
Course Requirements
Resources
ANGEL
ANGEL Tutorials
iSchool eBookstore
 

Angel information: This class is conducted totally online using Angel.  All students must self-enroll in this course on Angel with an access code provided by the instructor.  Please see the Angel Tutorials on how to enroll. In order to self-enroll, one must be registered for the course and use the access code sent via the MySJSU messaging system.  Please enroll from Jan. 21-26, 2010.  Class commences Jan. 26, 2010.

Course Description

Research methods covering fundamental principles, processes, values and roles of research for professional application in information organizations. Students will become critical consumers of research products and learn the basic skills of planning, designing, executing and reporting research as well as evaluating and applying published research findings. This class focuses on the topic of evaluating programs and services.

Course Prerequisites: LIBR200, LIBR202, LIBR204, and demonstrated writing proficiency required.

285 Waiver Option:
If a student has taken and passed a graduate level-research methods course AND completed a thesis or dissertation as part of a previous graduate degree (as documented by an official transcript), the student can petition the SLIS Graduate Advisor to waive the LIBR 285 requirement. A waiver, if granted, does not reduce the total units required for the MLIS degree. See Waiver option

Course Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:

  • Recognize the purpose for research studies through readings and weekly activities;
  • Acknowledge the differences between quantitative and qualitative research methodology through readings and article examples;
  • Label methodologies as qualitative or quantitative through readings and activities;
  • Describe the purpose of descriptive statistics through readings and activities;
  • Calculate descriptive statistics by analyzing data collected for two in class program/service evaluation studies;
  • Compose concise literature reviews through completion of two evaluation reports and an evaluation proposal;
  • Investigate the literature for data collection and analysis examples for evaluating library services by compiling an annotated bibliography;
  • Demonstrate understanding of the nature of program/service evaluation through completion of two evaluation reports and an evaluation plan.

LIBR 285 supports the following MLIS Core Competencies:

  • 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;
  • Articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom.
  • Evaluate programs and services on specified criteria.

Course Requirements

Students must complete all assigned readings and activities outlined in the classroom.  Specific criteria for each assignment are listed in the classroom.

Course Calendar

  • Classes begin:  Jan. 26, 2010
  • Spring Recess:  Mar. 29-April 2, 2010
  • Classes end:     May 17, 2010

Assignments
Course readings and discussion board items are posted in Angel along with instructions for course assignments.  Here is an overview of the required work.

  1. Weekly readings posted in Angel:  These are from the text, periodical literature available through the library, and various web sites.
  2. Weekly discussion items posted in Angel:  There will be specific questions based on the readings and requiring your input and research.  Your contributions count toward your participation grade.  Due as designated within the forum.
  3. Usability Questions: the data collected from this assignment will be used for one of the group reports.  Due Feb. 16, 2010, no later than 11:59pm, PST.
  4. LibQUAL Questions:  The data collected from this assignment will be used for one of the group reports.  Due Feb. 26, 2010, no later than 11:59pm, PST.
  5. An annotated bibliography of articles related to chapters 8-14. Due March 23, 2010, no later than 11:59pm, PST.
  6. A group project for compiling data from the Usability questions and for writing an evaluation report.  Due April 16, 2010, no later than 11:59pm, PST.
  7. A group project for compiling data from the LibQUAL questions and for writing an evaluation report.  Due May 7, 2010, no later than 11:59pm, PST.
  8. An individual evaluation plan on chosen topic.  Due May 17, 2010, no later than 11:59pm, PST.

Course Grading
Late assignments will not be accepted unless there is a documented health crisis or family emergency.

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbook:

  • Matthews, J. R. (2007). The Evaluation and Measurement of Library Services. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1591585325. arrow gif indicating link outside sjsu domain


Grading Scale

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

97 to 100 A
94 to 96 A minus
91 to 93 B plus
88 to 90 B
85 to 87 B minus
82 to 84 C plus
79 to 81 C
76 to 78 C minus
73 to 75 D plus
70 to 72 D
67 to 69 D minus
Below 67 F

 

In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:

  • C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
  • B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work;
    For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation.  You must repeat the class the following semester. If -on the second attempt- you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  • A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.

Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

University Policies

General Expectations, Rights and Responsibilities of the Student

As members of the academic community, students accept both the rights and responsibilities incumbent upon all members of the institution. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with SJSU's policies and practices pertaining to the procedures to follow if and when questions or concerns about a class arises. See University Policy S90-5 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S90-5.pdf. More detailed information on a variety of related topics is available in the SJSU catalog at http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/catalog/departments/LIS.html. In general, it is recommended that students begin by seeking clarification or discussing concerns with their instructor. If such conversation is not possible, or if it does not serve to address the issue, it is recommended that the student contact the Department Chair as a next step.

Dropping and Adding

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester's Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.

Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.

Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material

University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain instructor's permission to record the course and the following items to be included in the syllabus:

  • "Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor's permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private, study purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material."
    • It is suggested that the syllabus include the instructor's process for granting permission, whether in writing or orally and whether for the whole semester or on a class by class basis.
    • In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on the recording, permission of those students or guests should be obtained as well.
  • "Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this course such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor consent."

Academic integrity

Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University. The University Academic Integrity Policy F15-7 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/F15-7.pdf 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 Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.

Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a record of their disability.

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