Texas Woman's University
School of Library & Information Studies

Syllabus
LS5013.02- Information Storage and Retrieval Systems

Course Description:
Identification and analysis of components of information systems; principles and techniques for classifying and representing items; information storage models; questions and information need analysis; operation of manual and automated systems; evaluation of information systems. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

Course Concept:
Information Storage and Retrieval is an introduction to the concept of the data->information->knowledge transfer process, and focuses on understanding the intellectual approach and appropriate use of IS&R tools by librarianship in the print, Internet, and proprietary database environments. This course will acquaint students with the identification and analysis of the components of generic information systems. This will include the functions of each component within the system, the relationships of the components to one another, and the design of the components of complete systems. Students will learn to operate, design and evaluate IS&R systems. Each of the sixteen three-hour classes will focus on the concept, application, and evaluation of specific aspects of these three information domains. This is an introductory course. Reference will be made to additional courses in the curriculum that more fully explore the different aspects introduced.

Text: (Required)
Lancaster, F. W., & Warner, A. J. (1993). Information Retrieval Today. Arlington, VA: Information Resources Press.

Assignments:

Reading Assignment: Read two (2) chapters of text per class, beginning with Class 2. Additional readings are posted on the Class Schedule.

Graded Assignments: As various information storage and retrieval tools are introduced you will have the opportunity to execute searches using those tools to support your assignments and paper topic. (You might find this multitasking model helpful for integrating all aspects of these assignments.)

• Assignment #1 - Conduct searches in both print and proprietary databases for your chapter subject and paper topic. Turn in two copies of search RESULTS (printout or photocopies of search results, not the articles themselves.) Due week following appropriate lab activity.

  Assignment #2 - Conduct searches in both proprietary databases and on the Internet for your chapter subject and paper topic. Turn in two copies of search RESULTS (printout or photocopies of search results, not the articles themselves.) Due week following appropriate lab activity. Students should be prepared to discuss their searches with the class.

  Assignment #3 - Test Construction for Mid-term Exam.

  • 1. Construct three (3) multiple choice (with at least 4 answer choices) or short answer questions for each of chapters 1 -6 in the textbook. OR one matching set with ten (10) matches for chapters 1 - 3, and one set for chapters 4 - 6. Include what your believe to be the right answers.
    2. Construct two (2) broad, general, concept questions which would require a brief paragraph answer, covering any part of the chapters noted in part one above. Include what your believe to be the right answers. Due -10/14/97 Turn in a TYPED copy of assignment
    

  Assignment #4 -Test Construction for Final Exam.
  

  • 1.Construct three (3) multiple choice (with at least 4 answer choices) or short answer questions for each of chapters 7 - 12 in the textbook. OR one matching set with ten (10) matches for chapters 7 - 9, and one set for chapters 10 - 12. Include what your believe to be the right answers.
    2. Construct two (2) broad, general, concept questions which would require a brief paragraph answer, covering any part of the chapters noted in part one above. Include what your believe to be the right answers. Due -12/9/97. Turn in a TYPED copy of assignment
    

  Chapter Presentation: Each student will be assigned a chapter from the text about which they will make a review presentation. These presentations will occur during the weeks of November 4th through December 2nd. These presentation should be 15 to 20 minutes in length and are intended to assist the class in preparing for the final exam.

  Paper & Presentation: The paper should be on a topic related to information storage and retrieval. This is a broad subject area, so you will have the flexibility to choose a topic of special interest to you. You may choose a topic relevant to your assigned chapter. Please submit a paragraph describing your topic for approval on October 21st, 1997. Your paper should be between 5­8 double spaced pages in length. This length requirement does not include your bibliography (minimum of four citations). Please make sure your references and bibliography follow the Turabian guidelines. Your paper will be graded on style and content. You should be prepared to give a concise, informal summary of your paper. Please provide handouts, visual aids or use a presentation package to complement your discussion of your topic. If you need copies of your handouts for each member of the class, we can make them for you. If you are using a presentation package, let us know ahead of time so we can check if we have the hardware and the software to run it. Your individual discussion on your paper topic should be approximately 15 to 20 minutes in length. Your grade on this paper will consist of an assessment on the quality of your (1) paper, (2) verbal synthesis of your paper, (3) your summary handout(s), overhead(s), or presentation graphics.
  

  • Suggested Topics:

    Database Ownership and Copyright Issues and/or Document Ownership/intellectual Property Rights
    Fees?!? for Online/CD­ROM Systems/Services
    Specific Online or CD­ROM Vendor(s) ­ Description and/or comparison
    Specific Online or CD­ROM Database(s) ­ Description and/or Comparison
    Consumer Online Services) ­ Description and/or Comparison
    Specific Library Automation System(s) ­ Description and/or Comparison
    Ethics in Providing/Using Online Systems/Databases
    Expert Systems in Library Services
    Information Use Environment
    Information Seeking Behavior
    The Value of Information
    Indexing/Automatic Indexing
    Full­Text Databases
    Standards for Information Retrieval
    Hypertext/Hypermedia Information Systems
    Value­Added Information Systems/Services/Products
    The Selection and Evaluation of Online/CD­ROM Systems for school, public, or special (pick one in your interest area)
    Library/Media Center/information Center
    Automatic Methods of Information Retrieval for End­Users
    End­User Training for Computerized Database Searching
    Using Computerized Databases for Ready Reference and/or General Reference
    Electronic/Digital Libraries
    Information Overload
    Librarian, Now Information Consultant and Trainer?!?

Office Hours (418 Stoddard 817/898-2617)
Mon. & Thurs. 1:00 - 4:00
Friday - 1:00 - 3:00
or via email: Dr. John D'Angelo or joanne twining williams

Texas Woman's University seeks to provide appropriate academic adjustments for all individuals with disabilities. This University will comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines, specifically Section 504, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with respect to providing appropriate academic adjustments to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the responsibility of the student to register with and provide medical verification and academic schedules to Disability Support Services (DSS) at the beginning of each semester and no later than the second week of school unless otherwise determined by the coordinator. The student also must contact the faculty member in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate academic adjustments. For further information regarding Disability Support Services or to register for assistance, please contact the office at 898-3835 (voice), 898-3830 (TDD) or visit CFO 105.