Location: Room 215 Carlson
Summer I, 2002
Weekend 1: June 7, 8, & 9, 2002
Weekend 2: June 21, 22, & 23, 2002
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Department of Library Science
Instructor:
Mr. Matthew R. Marsteller
Physics and Math
Librarian
University Libraries
Room 4400, Wean Hall
Carnegie Mellon
University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Office phone: 412-268-7212
E-mail: matthewm@andrew.cmu.edu
Office Hours (Tentative):
Monday - 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Tuesday - 9:00 AM
to 11:00 AM
I. Rationale
The purpose of this course is to give the students a general background in online searching; to introduce them to the multitude of pathways to obtain computer searchable information; and to provide them with opportunities to become proficient database searchers.
II. Catalog Description
General introduction to interactive database searching, including database producers, search system vendors, management of search services, search strategy, Boolean searching, structure and indexing of computer stored files. The course includes historical and background information. Greatest emphasis is on becoming a proficient searcher.
III. Behavioral Objectives
The students will be able to:
A. Write a brief summary of the state of the art of online information
systems.
B. Describe the relationships between database companies and vendors
of search services (online, local tape loaded, and CD-ROM) and their
users.
C. Conduct a successful pre-search interview.
D. Conduct successful
searches using an online system.
E. Clearly describe the requirements for
management of online searching in libraries.
F. Make an evaluation of
performance using commonly accepted methods of evaluation.
PLEASE NOTE: Any student requiring accommodations for taking notes or tests should make arrangements, as early in the semester as is possible, to discuss his or her needs with me.
IV. Text
Chowdhury, G.G. and Sudatta Chowdhury. Searching CD-ROM and Online Information Sources. London, UK : Library Association Publishing, 2001.
V. Reserves
Walker, Geraldine and Joseph Janes; edited by Carol Tenopir. Online Retrieval : a dialogue of theory and practice. Englewood, CO : Libraries Unlimited, 1999.
VI. Download (free)
Consales, Judy, et al. Searching Dialog: The Basics. Cary, NC : The Dialog Corporation, 1999. Available at: http://training.dialog.com/sem_info/courses/pdf_sem/b-dialog.pdf
VII. Grading
A. Attendance and Participation: 10%
B. Final (June 23, 2002): 15%
C. Bibliographic Instruction: 15%
The student will choose a CD-ROM or online database with the approval of the instructor. They will prepare a 10 to 15 minute presentation including (but not limited to) a discussion of the search interface, search syntax, searchable fields (database structure), intriguing features, novice versus expert level searching, use of search history (ability to combine sets) and output options.
D. Database Searching Assignments: 40%
E. Brief Research Paper: 20%
This assignment calls for the student to research and write a three to five page paper on a topic related to database searching. The student will need to search the database searching literature and choose an intriguing topic. Browsing recent journals such as Database, Online or Searcher may help the student generate a research topic. Inform the instructor of your topic no later than Saturday, June 22, 2002. Due: July 5, 2002
IV. Course Calendar
Friday, June 7, 2002
Readings: Chowdhury, Chapters 1-3, 5, 7. Walker,
Chapters 5-7. Consales, (entire document).
A. Introductions and review of the syllabus 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM
B. Basics of searching (part one) 7:35 PM to 8:35 PM and 8:50 PM to 9:30 PM
1. Database
structure
2. Database
types
3. Boolean
operators
4. Evaluating results - a beginning
Saturday, June 8, 2002
B. Basics of Searching (part two) 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
5. Nesting
6.
Truncation and wildcards
7. Proximity
operators
8. Command stacking (combined sets)
C. The Information Landscape 9:50 AM to 10:30 AM
1. Database producers
2. Database vendors
D. Gentle demonstrations of skills learned 10:30 AM to noon
Break for Lunch noon to 1:30 PM
E. In Class Practice Time 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
F. Exercise Review 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, June 9, 2002
G. Database Choice 10:00 AM to 10:40 AM
1. Listing of databases by
subject
2.
Dialindex
3. Guided Search
H. Multifile Searching 10:40 AM to 11:30 AM
1. File
Order
2. Removing
Duplicates
3. Grouping Like
Files
4. How Thorough is Thorough - when do you
stop?
Break for Lunch 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
I. Search Refinement 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
1. More on
Evaluation
2. Pearl
Growing
3. Layering
Searches
4. Free Formats
J. Costs and Searching 2:20 PM to 3:15 PM
K. Advanced Searching Practice Time 3:15 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday, June 21, 2002
Readings: Walker, Chapters 8-12. Chowdhury, Chapters
13, 15.
L. Internet Searching 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
M. Advanced Searching Practice Time 8:50 PM to 9:45 PM
Saturday, June 22, 2002
N. Advanced Searching Exercise Review (continued) 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
O. An Introduction to Lexis Nexis 9:50 AM to 11:30 AM
Break for Lunch 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
P. Guest Lecturer - Patent Searching 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM; 3:00 PM to 4 PM
Lynn Berard
Head, Science Libraries
Carnegie Mellon University
Q. Lexis Nexis Demonstrations 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
R. Lexis Nexis Practice Time 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, June 23, 2002
S. Final Exam 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
T. Bibliographic Instruction Presentations 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
U. Closing Thoughts 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM