LIBR 244-02
Online Searching
Spring 2009 Greensheet

Jean Bedord
E-mail
Emergencies/Prior Appointment: 408-257-9221
Office location: Virtual
Office hours: E-mail reaches me faster than other communication. But I expect most communication to occur within the ANGEL environment, so I can answer to the entire class. Use LIBR244 in the Subject line or it may get lost in my email filters.

This class is completely online via ANGEL. Students must self-enroll for this course before January 30, 2009. You will use a password access code, which I will provide through the MySJSU Messaging system no later than January 20.

First day of official instruction is January 22. Late enrollments may not be accepted.

Course Description

Knowledge of online information sources and search tools have become key competencies for reference and research professionals. This course introduces students to the resources available through the major commercial (fee-based) online aggregators, Dialog, Factiva, and Lexis-Nexis, known in the information industry as the Big Three. These resources are compared to the resources available through the Web search engines and the SJSU library website.

Students will learn how to select appropriate electronic resources and formulate search strategies through exercises based on real-life research questions. Topics will include searching techniques, database indexing, evaluation of search services, and understanding the relationship between database structure and search techniques. The history of the online information industry, trends in the online information industry and pricing issues are also included, in addition to searching theory.

Prerequisite: LIBR 202

Course Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should have:

• Explored content for three major fee-based commercial aggregator systems.
• Developed effective search strategies and techniques for conducting online searches in fee-based systems.
• Demonstrated correct search syntax in all three fee based systems, through completion of class exercises.
• Identified high quality Internet resources and their characteristics.
• Compared results for Internet searching vs. fee based aggregator systems, learning when each resource is appropriate to obtain precise and relevant results for patrons, users and clients.
• Written a short research paper on a topic in the online information industry, utilizing online research resources, demonstrating professional level writing and choices of information sources.

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:

• Use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users
• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations

Complete list of competencies at http://ischool.sjsu.edu/slis/competencies.htm.

Top of Page

Course Requirements

This is a totally online class on ANGEL. Students are expected to login daily to check for the following:

• Announcements
• Course Information
• Course Documents
• Assignments
• Discussion Boards.

Assignments
The assignments for this course will be:

• Exercises
  There will be four assigned exercises that will require searching online databases. Instructions will be provided for assignments, and grading will be based on the student’s search strategies, thought processes and results of the searches.
  
  More important than finding the “right” answer is the description and analysis of the process – why terms or databases were chosen (or not chosen), what the thought process was, how the search strategy was constructed, what mistakes were made, and suggested changes to the strategy if the search were to be re-run (although it is not necessary to actually re-run it).
  
  Search statements, as well as the analysis of the exercise, must be turned in for grading. It is not necessary for all results to be included, but some results are necessary for the proper evaluation of the exercise. Analysis should be brief (one or two paragraphs).
• Quiz
  There will be one quiz, with specifics posted on ANGEL.
• Online Discussion
  Since this course is conducted entirely online, participation in online discussions is essential. Discussion topics will be provided. Students may also propose topics for discussion or begin new discussion threads. Students should post (at least) two comments on each discussion topic, one an original contribution and the other a response to another student’s post. Please check in on the discussions occasionally throughout the week. Note that participation is 20% of your grade, so non-participation will automatically reduce your grade below a B.
• Research Paper
  A 5-10 page papers due at the final week of class.  This paper will demonstrate proficiency in using online resources. Topics can be an issue or trend involving use of online resources in libraries, Web searching, or online searching or the online industry. Each student will select a topic and have it approved by the instructor mid-semester. This essay shall be in APA style with the usual rules of good grammar and syntax. You will be expected to use a minimum of 5 sources for your essay (articles, book chapters, website materials, etc.)

Grading

NO INCOMPLETES WILL BE AWARDED.

Late Work
There will be a 20% penalty for late work submitted within one week of the due date. Zero credit will be given after this.

Required Home Computing Environment
Please see the School’s “Home Computing Requirements” at http://ischool.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm

Internet Explorer is required for Factiva searching.

Additional policies and expectations:

• Be aware of SLIS requirements for dropping classes
• Expect to spend a substantial amount of time on this class. It is technical in nature, and requires regular attention and skill building. It is in your own best interests to do the practice exercises, even though they are not graded.
• Carefully consider your total course load, work and family commitments before starting this class. All students are graded on the same basis, without consideration of personal circumstances.

Other Requirements

Additional reference materials will be used that are provided by the vendors at no additional cost.  These are high quality materials provided to assist in learning their system.

Dialog: See the Graduate Education Program at http://gep.dialog.com  You will be using the following resources, but there are additional excellent instructional materials that students may find helpful, particularly for business applications:

• Dialog Pocket Guide (HTML or PDF versions)http://support.dialog.com/searchaids/dialog/pocketguide
• Introduction to Dialog; Featuring DialogClassic  (PDF file, 1.2 MB)http://training.dialog.com/sem_info/courses/general.html#idc
• Dialog Reference Card with Basic Commands (use as a cheat sheet)http://gep.dialog.com/instruction/pdf/student_ref_guide.pdf

Lexis Nexis:    http://ischool.sjsu.edu/courses/244/lexisnexis.htm

Factiva:

• Factiva.com Inside Out Guide  (Scroll the the very bottom)http://www.factiva.com/collateral/download_brchr.asp?node=menuElem1526

Additional readings will be assigned throughout the semester.
 

Textbooks and Resources

Note:  Look for used copies of the Walker book, which has been used for several years.  The examples and technology examples are dated; however, the book is useful in understanding methods to effectively search fee-based systems, as well as the underlying technology in this course.

Required Textbooks:

• Hock, R. (2007). Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook (2nd ed.). Information Today. Available through Amazon: 0910965765.

• Mann, T. (2005). Oxford Guide to Library Research (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. Available through Amazon: 0195189981.

• Walker, G., & Janes, J. (1999). Online Retrieval: A Dialogue of Theory and Practice, 2nd Ed.,. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1563086573.

Grading Scale

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

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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