LIBRARY SCIENCE
102 - Internet Research Methods (1) CSU
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Lecture 30 minutes and laboratory 1 hour and 35 minutes per week Recommended: Knowledge of Windows: Basic keyboarding skills This course will focus on how to find and evaluate information and resource materials on the Internet, using a variety of applications, e.g. World Wide Web, Invisible Web, Listservs, and email. Principles of information access, development of search strategies, evaluation criteria and processes, and specific search tools will be covered. Issues regarding intellectual property, censorship, and online publishing will be discussed. |
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For more information contact: Dr. Catherine Hendrickson |
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WEEK ONE Introduction to the Course, computer lab, and classroom. Discussion of syllabus, objectives, attendance, assignments, grading, Internet and the World Wide Web. Introduction to electronic processes, e.g., word processing, bookmarks and hyperlinks, using scroll bars, moving through web pages, searching and printing
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WEEK TWO Additional browser functions and Web navigation. Difference between Hardware and Software Establishing student e-mail accounts. Discussion of SPAM and "pop-ups"
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WEEK THREE Viruses and organizing Bookmarks Further discussion regarding e-mail |
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WEEK FOUR QUIZ Search engines and research methods Discuss topics for final project
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WEEK FIVE Examine and compare Searching Tools: Engines, Meta-search engines, Directories, Indexes, etc.
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WEEK SIX Presentation Information and Discussion Summary Bibliography Review Syllabus and Grading for the Course Web Page evaluation techniques MLA/APA Citing Internet sources Copyright, Plagiarism, Works-Cited Bibliography
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WEEK SEVEN Mailing Lists, Usenet, Email etiquette, etc. Internet Tutorial
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WEEK EIGHT Oral presentations Bibliographies and written journals will be handed in
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The purpose of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the Internet. The lectures are designed as introductions to the abundant resources available via the Internet and the World Wide Web.
The hands-on computer instruction and in-class discussions focus on how to effectively use the computer as a research tool. The goal of the course is to enable the student to independently use and evaluate electronic information as a tool to assist in decision-making.
Upon completion of Internet Research Methods the student will be able to go to the Internet and have the skills and techniques necessary not only to build strategies, but also to make informed decisions with regard to searching for the research materials they may need. |
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Although it is anticipated that students will practice the research skills learned in class, the majority of the material for the course comes from lectures and laboratory work. Thus, attendance is vital.
If you must be absent, please contact me so that you do not fall behind on either the assignments or the class work. |
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There will be weekly assignments to give you an opportunity to further develop the skills you acquire during class. Assignments that are turned in late will be graded down. I will make every effort to be available for every student. If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact me.
If you feel you could use some extra help with either typing or using the mouse, go to:
http://reference.camden.lib.nj.us/classes/garwood/mouseprac/ http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html
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| Internet computers are located in the Learning Assistance Center, Room 105B, and in the Library computer lab. When Room 105A is not being used for a class, you may use the computers in there. |
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1. A PC formatted 3 ˝" double-sided double-density diskette to save your work 2. A small notebook - important to keep track of Web sites you visit so that you will have the sites available for your Final Journal
3. A tape recorder - to record the site locations (and your description of the Web pages) you find as you surf the Net. (Optional) |
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Based on a combination of: Assignments and quizzes – 40% of grade Attendance – 20% Final Journal Listing Web Sites Visited – 20% of grade Final Project (oral or written) – 20% of grade |
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The goal is for each student to research and develop a topic that is of special interest to you
Choose a subject that you already know something about, or a subject that you have always wanted to know something about. Make the topic special to you, and you will find that the research process moves along quickly and smoothly. Record your Internet travels from the very beginning of the course so that you have an accurate history
Step One: All students are required to keep a Journal in which to record notes regarding the sites you visit and why you lingered or clicked away. With the help of the Journal, you will prepare and submit an annotated Bibliography of the Web Pages you have visited. If you discover that you are forgetting to list the sites as you find them, you can develop a book-marking system by using a web site such as http://www.Backflip.com , or a bookmarking tool on your browser.
The Bibliography will list all the sites visited, in the appropriate MLA style. You will list the http://www (URL) of the site, what you found, where you went from the site, and why you chose to leave
Then, allowing at least three sentences for each site, you will provide a critique of each site, and evaluate the site’s content and reliability, as well as your reaction to its style and presentation
Step Two: In addition to the above, you must complete ONE of the following:
a. Write a three-page paper on your research process. The paper should include an introduction to your research topic, as well as a discussion about the path you followed
The paper is NOT a research paper regarding your topic, it IS a paper in which you discuss the research path you followed in locating information pertaining to your topic. Your paper will discuss the " Search Engines," " Directories," or "Indexes" you used, as well as the Web Pages you visited
Write about how you picked your topic. How your research progressed. How your original idea varied along the way. Why you finally settled for your Final Topic. You might discuss how you went to a particular site only to find it no longer existed, or how you thought you were going to a site that discussed your topic, only to find that the subject matter was different than expected. Your Conclusion will recite the steps you feel you will repeat in the future, and the steps you will never follow again
b. Or, you may give an oral presentation to the class. Your presentation should take about 15 minutes, and it should cover all the aspects stated above regarding a written paper. Include how you chose your topic, what sites you considered, which sites you eventually selected because after you evaluated some web pages you realized they were poor selections. You will also discuss the interesting and the useless.
Regardless of whether you choose a. or b. above, recording your travels through the Internet is essential.
We will discuss the Final Project further during class |
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There are no assigned textbooks for the course. Lectures, handouts, and homework assignments are designed to provide sufficient tools to master the content of the class
I do recommend the following books however, and I have placed them in the "reserve” section behind the Circulation Desk The
Internet 2nd
Ed.
- Perry, James T and Gary P. Schneider. Computers
Concepts and Applications for Users
- Nickerson, Robert C. Zen
and the Art of the Internet
A beginner’s Guide – Kehoe, Brendan. The
Internet Roadmap
– Falk, Bennett. The
Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Internet
– Kent, Peter.
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Dr. Hendrickson can be contacted at
the Reference Desk in the college library from 9:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on
Saturdays. Or, contact her by e-mail at class@www.virtuallegalresearch.com
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