Library 100: Introduction to Library Research

Spring 2007

Instructor: David Gibbs

Mondays, 1:10 – 2:00 p.m.

January 22 – May 14

No Class: Feb. 19, Apr. 2

Library classroom, Bldg. 9

1 unit

Required textbook: List-Handley, Carla J. Information Literacy & Technology. 3^rd ed. Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt, 2005.

Instructor information:

David Gibbs

gibbsd@smccd.edu

(650) 574-6174

Office Hours available by appointment.

	AN INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
1/22	Introduction and Pre-Test
1/29	What Is Information? The Information Lifecycle -- From event to document READ: List-Handley Chapter 1
2/5	Library Tour What Is Research? -- What makes research papers different -- Choosing a topic READ: List-Handley Chapter 4
	DEVELOPING RESEARCH STRATEGIES
2/12	Library Organization and the Catalog READ: List-Handley Chapter 3
2/19	NO CLASS
2/26	Searching the Library Catalog
3/5	Reference Sources: Print and Online
3/12	Periodicals and Periodical Databases -- Differentiating types of documents
3/19	Periodical Databases (Part 2)
3/26	Advanced Search Techniques -- Boolean AND, OR, and NOT READ: List-Handley Chapter 5
4/2	NO CLASS
4/9	World Wide Web -- What it is -- Directories vs. Search Engines READ: List-Handley Chapter 2
	EVALUATING INFORMATION SOURCES
4/16	Evaluating and Selecting Information Sources READ: List-Handley Chapter 6
4/23	Evaluating on the World Wide Web
	ETHICAL ISSUES
4/30	Citing Sources -- MLA and APA Style Guides READ: List-Handley Chapter 7
5/7	Copyright and Plagiarism READ: List-Handley Chapter 8
5/14	Class Wrap-Up

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this class, students will be able to:

• Explain the information and publication lifecycle.
• Come up with a workable research topic of appropriate scope.
• Perform effective and efficient searches in the library catalog for books and other materials by title, author, subject, and keyword.
• Use advanced search in the catalog to limit materials by date, location, and format.
• Locate a book on the shelf using its call number.
• Perform a basic search for periodical articles in a multidisciplinary database.
• Formulate an effective search strategy for online databases and Web search engines.
• Use Boolean operators to narrow or expand a search.
• Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate sources for relevance, quality, and credibility.
• Cite any source using MLA or APA style.

GRADING

Biweekly assignments: 70 points (10 points each)

Take-home final: 15 points

Class participation/attendance: 15 points

Total possible points: 100 points

Final Grade: A: 90 – 100 points

B: 80-90 points

C: 70 – 79 points

D: 60 – 69 points

F: Fewer than 60 points

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

You will be expected to do your own work in this course and avoid academic dishonesty. As the Student Handbook in the College of San Mateo Catalog states, “The principle of personal honor is the basis for student conduct. The honor system rests on the sincere belief that College of San Mateo students are mature and self-respecting, and can be relied upon to act as responsible and ethical members of society.”

The two most common kinds of academic dishonesty are cheating and plagiarism. Copying answers from someone else’s assignment is cheating and will not be tolerated. Pretending that someone else’s work is your own is plagiarism and will not be tolerated. Giving your work to another student to copy is also academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated.

The consequences of academic dishonesty depend on the seriousness of the infraction and may include:

• A failing grade on the assignment, project, or exam
• A lower grade for the course, or possibly a failing grade for the course
• Temporary suspension from LIBR100
• Disciplinary probation
• Suspension or expulsion from College of San Mateo