LIS1002 - Electronic Research Strategies (Online)

Instructor Patricia Barbier
Office Phone  727-791-2603
Office Hours Posted on office door (LI 113B)

Required Text:
None

Suggested Text:
Student Guide to Research in the Digital Age: How to Locate and Evaluate Information Sources (online access through the (Library Catalog) Use your student number as borrower id and the last 4 digits of your social security number as your PIN to connect to complete book online.

Supplemental Text:
Web Search Savvy :Strategies and Shortcuts For Online Research (available through NetLibrary, a SPC online book collection)and at the Clearwater Campus Library. For Netlibrary access, go to Library Online (www.spcollege.edu/central/libonline), click NetLibrary under Top Links. The user name is spc, and the password can be gotten by clicking on AskALibrarian or go to the Library Catalog Library Catalog type the title and connect using your student id as borrower id and last four digits of your social security number as your PIN.

Course Description
ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE / APPROVED COURSE OUTLINE

ELECTRONIC RESEARCH: LIS 1002: STRATEGIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS  1 Cr.Hr. 

A.      Course Description:

This course is designed to develop information literacy skills and to help students become full participants in the Information Age.  It introduces students to the core concepts of information retrieval, essential techniques for locating analyzing, organizing and presenting information, components of computer and information ethics and security.  Emphasizing both technological skills and critical thinking abilities, the course teaches strategies for using a variety of electronic resources and for coping with the changing nature of information resources. Equivalent to 16 contact hours.

 B.   Major Learning Outcomes:

1. The student will demonstrate the ability to define and focus a topic for

academic research.

2. The student will demonstrate the ability to develop and implement an effective search strategy.

3. The student will demonstrate the ability to differentiate among numerous information sources in order to identify resources most appropriate for a selected topic.

4. The student will demonstrate the ability to use a variety of electronic resources to locate information for a selected topic.

5. The student will demonstrate the ability to critically assess the value of resources for specific information needs and purposes.

6. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the legal and ethical use of intellectual property.

7. The student will demonstrate the ability to maintain online privacy and to communicate effectively in an online environment.

C.    Course Objectives Stated in Performance Terms:

1.  The student will demonstrate the ability to define and focus a topic for academic research by:

selecting a topic which is neither too broad nor too narrow.

applying pre-writing techniques such as clustering, concept mapping, or brainstorming  to develop a thesis statement.

2. The student will demonstrate the ability to develop and implement an effective search strategy by:

a. selecting appropriate keywords and descriptors for a selected topic.

b. applying Boolean searching techniques when appropriate.

c. recognizing when a strategy is ineffective and revising as necessary.

3. The student will demonstrate the ability to differentiate among numerous information sources in order to identify resources most appropriate for a selected topic by:

a. analyzing the content and coverage of information resources.

b. analyzing the relative strengths and weaknesses of various Internet tools and directories.

c. analyzing the relative strengths and weaknesses of various electronic databases, including free and fee-based.

d. distinguishing between general and scholarly publications.

4. The student will demonstrate the ability to use a variety of electronic resources to locate information for a selected topic by:

a. locating materials via online library catalogs.

b. locating periodical articles using electronic databases.

c. locating Internet resources using subject directories and search engines.

5. The student will demonstrate the ability to critically assess the value of resources for specific information needs and purposes by:

a. applying evaluation criteria to determine authority, accuracy, and overall appropriateness for purpose and audience.

b. eliminating sources of lesser quality and relevance.

6. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the legal and ethical use of intellectual property by:

a. defining intellectual property, copyright, fair use, piracy and plagiarism.
b. identifying laws that protect against copyright infringement.
c. identifying types of information that are protected under current copyright laws.
d.  appropriately paraphrasing, quoting, and citing copyrighted material.

7. The student will demonstrate the ability to maintain online privacy and to communicate effectively in an online environment by:

a. defining the basic principles of internet etiquette
b. identifying acceptable and unacceptable online communication behavior.
c. creating secure user names and passwords
d. complying with SPC policies on acceptable use of information technology.

D.    Criteria Performance Standard:

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate master each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

Graded Quizzes:
(All quizzes must be taken even if extra credit points are earned):  Dates of quizzes can be found on the calendar and the Course Schedule.  Questions for the quizzes come mainly from the Content modules and a few from the Useful Web Sites. After reading the information for two Sections (under Course Content) (including visiting the web sites), there is an exercise to practice the search techniques that have been discussed. There will be a quiz during the same week to ensure that you mastered the basic concepts.

Graded Exercises:
Due dates for exercises can be found on the calendar and Milestones. The exercises are .rtf (rich text format) documents that can be opened in most Word Processor programs (MSWord, Word Perfect, etc.). The answers should be typed on the same page after the question.  It is easier if you save them in that same format. Most word processors, Microsoft Word, MSWorks, or WordPerfect offer that option. The exercises should be sent back to me after completion via the Drop Box in Angel. If there are any problems getting the drop box to work, they can be attached to an email and sent to me via the Private email function in Angel, or, you may send the document to me via my work email also at barbier.pat@spcollege.edu.

Assignments are usually graded within a week or less. Emails are usually answered in 1-2 days. If I have news for the course or am going to be out of town, I will leave a message through announcements. Please check announcements each time you log on to the course.

My office number is 727-791-2603.

Grading Policy

A = 90 points and above 
B = 80-89 points 
C = 70-79 points 
D = 60-69 points 
F = 59 points and below 

Attendance Policy
Tracking will be turned on throughout the course. In order to learn the material, it is necessary to visit the Content Sections. Tracking of use of the sections serves as a method of evaluating attendance.

DROP WITH REFUND can only occur the first week of classes. Watch for session withdrawal dates. Extenuating circumstances must go through the Associate Provost for approval. NOTE: Students can do their own withdrawals up to the session deadline using “My SPC.”

Academic Integrity
Academic Honesty: Cheating, plagiarism, bribery, misrepresentation, conspiracy, and fabrication are defined in Rule 6Hx23-4.461, Student Affairs: Academic Honesty Guidelines, Classroom Behavior.

If you need technical assistance, this link will allow you to contact the SPC HelpDesk.   

Students Call 727-341-HELP (727-341-4357)

You may expect your assignments to be graded within a week's time or usually much less time than that.  Emails are usually answered within two days or less.

Special Accomodations:
If you wish to request accommodations as a student with disability, please make an appointment with the Learning Specialist on campus. If you have a documented hearing loss, please contact the Program for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing at 791-2628. The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities can be reached at 791-2710 (CL), 341-4758 (SP/G), 394-6108 (SE) 712-5789 (TS) or 341-4532 (AC)

Federal and State law requires a person designated as a "sexual predator or offender" to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE then is required to notify the local law enforcement agency where the registrant resides, attends or is employed by an institution of higher learning. Information regarding sexual predators or offenders attending or employed by an institution of higher learning may be obtained from the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for the particular campus, by calling the FDLE hotline (1-888-FL-PREDATOR) or (1-888-357-7332), or by visiting the FDLE website at www.fdle.state.fl.us/sexual_predators. If there are questions or concerns regarding personal safety, please contact the Provost, Associate Provost, Campus Security Officer or Site Administrator on your campus.