St. Michael's 
College

 LS101-Research in an Electronic Environment: From Books to Bytes

© Copyright 2002  Steven Burks
Content at this web site may be used for educational purposes  only.  
Otherwise, All Rights Reserved

DIRECTORY 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

GRADES/POLICIES

TEXT

CALENDAR

TUES THUR
Jan 13 Jan 15
Jan 20 Jan 22
Jan 27 Jan 29
Feb 3 Feb 5
Feb 10 Feb 12
Feb 17 Feb 19
Feb 24 Feb 26
Mar 2 Mar 4
Mar 9 Mar 11
Mar 16 Mar 18
Mar 23 Mar 25
Mar 30 Apr 1
Apr 6 Apr 8
Apr 13 Apr 15
Apr 20 Apr 22
Apr 27  Apr 29



St. Michael's Library: SMC Indexes, Full text databases, Online Catalog, ILL, Subject Guide

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Last Update - 09/13/04 10:21:12 AM

Last Class! - Good Luck!

Fill-out Summas

Final Grades are available Monday
- You may drop by my office

 

-Link to Online Papers

        DIRECTORY INFORMATION
LS101 
Time: 2:30 to 3:20		 Classroom: Bergeron 105 (Davis Lab)
Tuesday/Thursday
Instructor: Steven Burks
My Background		 Reference/Instruction Librarian
   - LIS Web Site Developer
Office: Library 210 Campus Phone: 654-2354
Email: sburks@smcvt.edu   Office Hours: By appointment or during my reference desk shifts. I work Wednesday evenings from 6-10 p.m. and some weekends.
Class Calendar: UPDATED WEEKLY
  
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  Course Description

Course Description
This course is intended to help you develop basic research skills, including how to design search strategies and how to critically analyze and evaluate information resources. We will also examine the organization of information, its relationship to the structure of knowledge, and the scholarly communication process. Particular emphasis will be placed on the use of electronic resources and publishing web pages.

Course Delivery/Assignments
LS101 is structured to deliver online and print search skills to students through weekly group and individual assignments, class lectures and demonstrations, assigned readings, computer labs, and cooperative learning.  Students will teach components of the course through computer demonstrations.

ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND READINGS ARE ACCESSED UNDER THE CLASS CALENDAR SECTION OF THIS SYLLABUS.
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POLICIES/GRADES

GRADES

1.Database Demonstration (20% of grade)
Students will demonstrate a Database or WWW information tool to the class. The demonstration will include written documentation on the use of the information tool and a homework assignment designed to guide your classmates in the use of the tool.

2. Midterm Quiz Feb 17 (20% of grade)

3. Final Exam/Take Home (10% of grade) - required of students missing more than 3 classes

4. Online Paper - Published on the Web (30% of grade)

5. Class Citizenship (20% of grade)
Students will be given many opportunities to participate in discussions and reviews of research skills in class --  Contributions to class discussions and panels, knowledge of readings, assignments, helping fellow classmates with computer applications and research.
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CLASS POLICIES

  • Attendance in class is mandatory. Test questions and assignments are based on material covered in class. The course material is delivered sequentially and it is important to keep up with the work as it is presented. 
  • Assignments given in class are due the next class unless otherwise specified. Late assignments will be marked down a full grade for every day they are overdue. You may need to start assignments in advance to avoid the possibilities of computer problems.
  • The SMC academic integrity policy applies and is supported.
  • The syllabus may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.
  • Learning differences may be accommodated if I am notified and a satisfactory plan is agreed on.
     
  • Restrict use of chat, email or web sites that are not pertinent to class content. 
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TEXT

Required Text:

The Research Process: Books and Beyond  by Bolner and Poirier

MLA handbook for Writers of Research Papers / by Joseph Gibaldi

Optional:

FrontPage 2002 or FrontPage 2000 - purchased at student discount at the bookstore

Other readings will come from online sources:  Web sites, electronic journals, etc

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CALENDAR : 
Note - ALL Assignments and Readings are Due the Following Class Period

 

  • Tuesday - Jan 13 :: JEM 166
    Question of the Day:     You are trying to develop a calendar for your office.  You want to spice this calendar up with interesting events that fall on certain dates.  Find a source on the Internet that would be useful for finding this information.
    ----A good print sources is "Chases' Calendar of Annual Events" located at SMC Library REF GT4803 .C48 or "The Book of Days"   Links to Internet Sources.

    Introduction to Course - Outcomes
    Fill out Student Profiles
    Fill out online form for Personalweb page @ http://www2.smcvt.edu/itweb/forms/homepage.htm

-Reading: Chapter 1  from your textbook, "The Research Process"
-Reading: "Educating the Cut and Paste Generation (teaching Information Literacy)" by Lorie Roth, from Library Journal -  If the link above doesn't work ACCESS Online Via Expanded Academic Index 

-Assignment: Virtual Library Tour - due next class
Top of Page   Class meets in the Durick Library  Instruction Classroom - Jan 20 & 22

  • Tuesday - Jan 20 :: Meet in Library  Instruction Classroom
    REFERENCE SOURCES
    Materials and Services - ILL, Archives, LC Classification, Special Collections

Reading: A new chapter for libraries: Preference for online research has its price from the San Francisco Chronicle

Read: Textbook Chapter 7

Assignment: Library Building Tour and Reference Sources
ALSO -

Reading: from the Textbook - Chapter 3 

Assignment: Online Reference Sources
Also Do Question 7.5 Reference 1-5 (exclude 6) from your textbook.  (this is the correct question)
Top of Page  Meet in Bergeron Lab for the rest of semester
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Interlibrary Loan - also referred to as ILL - some databases like PsychInfo, WorldCat have ILL built into it.  Other databases like Expanded ASAP do not, requiring you to link to the online form for non-full text journal articles

Reading: Find an article using Expanded Academic ASAP on the "Invisible Web", print out and bring to Thursday's class

Assignment: No assignment due next class

 

Question of the Day: What is the most popular  "Search Engine?" Answer
Question of the Day: How Big is the Internet? Answer
Question of the Day: How Big is the "Invisible" or "Deep Web?" Answer

Boolean (Keyword) Searching
  - In class exercise- Greenhouse Database
 - How To Prepare a Search Strategy [for database searching]
 - Specificity (Relevancy):  There is an inverse relation between how specific a search is versus how comprehensive it is.  Too broad a search has a better chance of making sure all items are found for a subject search, but there may be too many articles that are not relevant.  A highly specific search will eliminate unrelated subject areas, but can miss relevant broader subjects covering your chosen topic.

Boolean Search - Search Statement

 

Reading: Find a journal article from Expanded Academic ASAP or Lexis-Nexis about the Internet.  Narrow the search down to a subject you are interested.  For example Internet and Marketing, or Internet and science - Print out and bring to class

ALSO - Read Chapter 5 from your Textbook

Assignment: Searching and evaluating Search Engines
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  • Tuesday - Feb 10::JEM 166
    Question of the Day:     What is the IP number (Internet Protocol) on the computer I am sitting at?  Answer
    Question of the Day:     What is the most popular  "Search Engine?" Answer

    Internet

  Internet Usage:  What type of activities

URLS - Universal Resource Locators
   --How URLs are  Named - New domain names (ICANN)

  • Searching and Evaluating Search Engines

Definition of a Search Engine 

Search Engines Ranked By Size

Search Engine Evaluation: Part I - 

Web Search Engines by Category   By Function or purpose 

Evaluating Search Engine Part II -- Comparing Search Engines by size, ranking, methodology, etc

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Reading: Paid listings on Search Engines

Assignment: Web Search Engines Categorized

Question of the Day:  How do you know that the url link of a website is "durable?"

Question of the Day:  How much does it cost to submit your web page to Yahoo if you are a commercial web site?  Click Answer

 

Internet - Evaluating Sources  - The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources
 http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/eval.html (examples provided)
See also textbook - page 142-145

In-class Evaluation of website @ http://www.bv229.k12.ks.us/biophilia/biophilia/1998_1999/baddley.html 

 

Review for Midterm

Controlled Vocabulary - Subject Headings / Descriptors
   - Library of Congress Subject Headings
   - MESH: Medical Subject Headings
   - ERIC Thesaurus
   - Thesaurus of Psychological Terms

Top Ten Reason You are or aren't Successful in finding Information on the Web

Reading: A new chapter for libraries: Preference for online research has its price - article from San Francisco Chronicle

Assignment: Study for next week's midterm> Take Home Part of Midterm handed out in-class - due next Tuesday

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  • Thursday - Feb 19
    Question of the Day: Where can I find Public Domain or "free" use of images on the web?
    Assignment Look over the Online Paper and write short description on the topic you will research.  Please send to me via email. 
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Writing for the Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences

Assignment:  Write up a full draft of the introduction to the  Online Paper you will write.   Make sure that your topic is narrow enough.  Include the requirements listed @ Introduction - Online Paper
- PUBLISH this Introduction on your PERSONALWEB Account
- Look over chapter 2 of your textbook to help guide you through the research process.

 
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Tables  - Tables allow you to position graphics and text where you want.  You may control the width of a screen "absolutely" to prevent scrolling by a viewer.
Covered today - table size, merging cells, deleting cells

Design Issues for a Better Web Site

Example Template for Online Paper

Assignment: give 4 possible sources for your paper -  a reference source, book from SMC Catalog,  journal source, internet source - List these on your PERSONALWEB site as a file named _sources that is linked from your home page.  ALSO - one of your sources must be unavailable at the library - use ILL to get the source

Reading: Chapter 2 - Plagiarism and Chapter 5 - (pages 139-147) FROM your MLA Handbook

Reading: Writers Beware: History Is an Art, Not a Toaster (on plagiarism)

Assignment: Cite your sources using MLA Style (Handbook) and have them available on your online paper (personalweb site)

ALSO - Have a link to a journal article from EBSCO, or Academic ASAP or Lexis-Nexis on a plagiarism case involving researchers or students  Link this from your website.
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  • Tuesday - Mar 9
    Question of the Day: How many college students plagiarize?
      -answer


    FrontPage: Graphics and Tables
    Plagiarism
     

    Text wrapping

       
    ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
    wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

    ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

    dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

    dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

    ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

    ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

     

gifs vs jpegs   - generally, use jpeg files for photos on web pages, particularly if you will be resizing.  Use gif files for icons with large areas of solid colors like maps or flags.  Consider the download speed of page when using graphics.  Also make sure to "de-link" graphics that link back to the source.  For professional web sites, don't use other peoples copyrightable materials or trademarks.

Use images sparingly (loading time and distractions) gif vs. jpeg  
- Position - wrapping text or use tables
 -Resizing - Resample to increase image loading speed

 -Auto thumbnail -
 -Alternative Representation (text)
 -Make sure you don't bring the url of the image into your online paper
 -Cite images as seen at Example Template for Online Paper - no need to cite the 3 image source at the Works Cited list
 - Consider using AccuNet Multimedia for graphs or pictures

Public Domain (Free) Images
  Public Domain (Free) and Non-Public Domain Music
  
 Icon BAZAAR - see terms of use for copyright


InterLibrary Loan  - use the ILL form to find a source you will use for your paper. Time is important - do it this week

 

Reading: Chapter 10 (Statistical Sources) from textbook

Assignment: Use a statistical source (or poll)  listed in chapter 10 that will be useful for the topic of your online paper.  Give the  source  specific information from your personalweb site.  Briefly evaluate the source by the Evaluating criteria on page 288 of your textbook.

Usenet Newsgroups

Usenet - Newsgroups

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Question)

Netiquette - Core Rules

Assignment: Find 3 Newsgroups in Google Groups . One should be on a  topic for your paper.  The others can be of your own choosing.  Follow the group (lurk) over the next few days and report on the following:   

Evaluating Newsgroups
Give the Name/Address of the Newgroup
1. FAQ of the group
2. Traffic (number of postings per day)
3. Quality of information and expertise of participants
4. Is the site academically orientated?
5. Is the site moderated?

Put this information on your personalweb site and send me the link.

NOTE: you may use Newsgroups or FAQ's as sources in your paper if you wish.

Assignment:  Continue writing your paper.  By  Tuesday (March 23)  you should have 10-15 sources, they should be cited in your Reference list.  The Introduction should be close to finished and some of the paper written. Introduction to your paper should include a list of terms and Subject Headings used to search indexes, and the periodical indexes you are using.  Demonstrate linking from the parenthetical citation to to the source in the reference list.

Reading: Google's revival of a Usenet archive opens up a wealth of possibilities but also raises some privacy issues. From the NYTimes  (handout in class)

Read: 10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained @ http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html


 
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Holiday - March 16 & 18th - No Class

Recent Plagiarism - College President
Recent Plagiarism - USA Today Reporter
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  • Tuesday - Mar 23
    Question of the Day:  Where can professors go to find out if students have plagiarized papers? answer
    Email Discussion Lists
    Determining what resources are most relevant for your online papers
      - Citation searching
      - Web page "popularity" - use Google
Netiquette - Core Rules

Email Discussion Lists: Listserv/subscription

You may start your own email discussion list using Egroups @ http://www.egroups.com/   

 

PUSH technology - Newsletters and information that comes to your email, web page, desktop software, or intelligent agents.

Blogs - see SMC Student blog @ http://www.smcvt.edu/Admin2.asp?SiteAreaID=2406&Level=1

- more on blogs @ http://journalism.smcvt.edu/echo/11.12.03/web%20blogs.htm

Assignment: Subscribe to an Email discussion list. Find a list with an academic orientation--something in your major.  Give the following information on your personal website

Evaluating Email Discussion Groups
Give the Name/Address of the group
1. Purpose of the group
2. Traffic (number of postings per day)
3. Quality of information and expertise of participants
4. Is the site academically orientated?
5. Is the site moderated?
6. Is the site archived on a web site?

ALSO - subscribe to an Online Newsletter.  Find one under the PUSH Technology link above  Give the newsletter and how to subscribe on your personalweb site

 

Assignment:  Have a Draft of your Online Paper available for next Tuesday.  The Draft should include at least the following: 

  • 15 (or more) citations in your WORKS CITED LIST on your topic. 
  • Make sure you have 4 different source types: Reference Books, Books, Videos, Maps etc from the online catalog, Journal articles, and Internet sources
  • One (or more sources) should be from an InterLibrary Loan.
  • Include at least one image from an Internet site.  You may include these as one of your 12-15 sources.  Cite images within your text.  See example @ Online Paper
  • At least 2 sources should come from a Scholarly Journal as covered in  class
  • Parenthetical Reference within the text of your paper.    See the EXAMPLE Online Paper, and see textbook- page 39
  • Links from Parenthetical References to the Citation in the Works Cited List
  • Introduction to your paper should include the indexes (for example Expanded ASAP, SMC Online Catalog, PsycInfo, Search Engines, Study Guides, etc that you used to research your topic.
  • Introduction to your paper should include a list of terms and Subject Headings used to search indexes and the online catalog
  • Include a Copyright Notice on your paper.  See example @ Online Paper
  • Make sure the images in your paper are "delinked"
  • Have a time stamp of last update
  • Include a Copyright Notice on your paper.  See example @ Online Paper
  • Make sure the images in your paper are "delinked"
 

  • Tuesday - March 30
     Question of the Day: Why is "Mickey Mouse" still protected under copyright?

 [Illustration]answer - click picture
 

Question of the Day: Can a person or company trademark the phrase - "YOU"RE FIRED?"

Question of the Day: Can Pepsi trademark the color blue it uses in its logo?

Copyright

Copyright Tutorial

Copyright Quiz

Reading: 10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained @ http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html

 

Check Requirements of Online Paper - 
include copyright notice on your paper - Cut and paste into your document   --  © Copyright 2004 "Your Name" All Rights Reserved

Online Paper -- DUE  April 6

Online Paper -- DUE April 6
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Work on Online Database Demonstrations

Andre A & Jerrod - Lexis-Nexis

Meghan & Gordon - Teoma (search engine) http://www.teoma.com/

Drew B & Mike & Jaime - Compare EbscoHost Academic Search Premier to Expanded Academic ASAP

Aaron & Eric - New York Times Historical

Katie & Liz & Mark - Lexis-Nexis Statistical

Shana & Page & Chelsea - @ http://www.netlibrary.com/


Thursday - April 8

Off-Campus Access to Databases
- Passwords
- VPN - Virtual Private Network
 

Assignment: Work on Database Demonstration

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Assessment of LIS Website

Focus Group of LIS Web Site

Assignment:  Work on your database demonstrations.  Have the questions you will ask the class to answer from demonstration available for me to view.

Reading: The Usability Toolbox from Computers in Libraries,

 

Database Demonstrations Aaron & Eric - New York Times Historical

Assignment: Questions from the database demo - NY Times Historical - hand in to Eric/Aaron for credit completing assignment

I work this coming Sunday 2-8 pm if you need to consult about the demos
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Database Demonstrations - Meghan & Gordon - Teoma (search engine) http://www.teoma.com/

Assignment: Questions from the database demo - Teoma
Reading:  Google Dance Case Studies 

Database Demonstrations Drew B & Mike & Jaime - Compare EbscoHost Academic Search Premier to Expanded Academic ASAP

Database Demonstrations Andrew & Jerrod - Lexis-Nexis

Assignment: Questions from the database demo

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Assignment: Questions from the database demos
Reading:  Weblogs are creating a whole new campus culture


 

Fill-out Summas

Final Grades are available Monday
- You may drop by my office

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  •  

Have a Great Summer!!!!!  - And Careers (you seniors)!!!

 
 

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