Blacklick Valley JSHS
LIB 100 – Information and Research
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Margaret Borlie
Email: pborlie@bvsd.k12.pa.us
Phone number: 814-749-9211 x 221
Credits: Lecture, 3; Lab, 0
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Course Description: In this class students will learn how to identify an information need,
identify resources to meet that need, evaluate the resources, and understand how to use the
resources effectively thereby avoiding plagiarism. Students will learn both APA and MLA
citation styles.
Course Methodology: This course is conducted in a lecture-type environment. Students will use
both quantitative and qualitative methods (e.g. action research, human information behavior, and
statistical analysis of database results) in identifying and evaluating information including: use of
online databases, print materials, and personal information retrieval techniques.
Required Text, including ISBN:
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: Modern Language
Association, 2009. Print.
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). (2010). Washington,
D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Required Course Material: None
Supplementary Materials: Other materials as provided by the instructor.
Course Topics:
 The Research Process
 Resources for Research
 Evaluating and Selecting your Sources
 Academic Integrity and Documenting Sources
Expected Learning Outcomes:
LIB 100
Page 1 of 9
Learning outcomes will be based on American College and Research Library Standards as
follows:
1) Indicator 1: The information literate student defines and articulates the need for
information.
Outcomes Include:
a) Participates in class discussions, peer workgroups, and electronic discussions to
identify a research topic, or other information need
b) Explores general information sources to increase familiarity with the topic
c)
Defines or modifies the information need to achieve a manageable focus
d) Identifies key concepts and terms that describe the information need
e)
Recognizes that existing information can be combined with original thought,
experimentation, and/or analysis to produce new information
f)
Understand how information is organized
g) Locate, access, and retrieve information in various formats
h) Critically evaluate information to determine its significance and apply information to
meet an information need.
2) Indicator 2: The information literate student constructs and implements effectivelydesigned search strategies.
Outcomes Include:
a) Develops a research plan appropriate to the investigative method
b) Identifies keywords, synonyms and related terms for the information needed
c) Selects controlled vocabulary specific to the discipline or information retrieval source
d) Constructs a search strategy using appropriate commands for the information retrieval
system selected (e.g., Boolean operators, truncation, and proximity for search
engines; internal organizers such as indexes for books)
e) Implements the search strategy in various information retrieval systems using
different user interfaces and search engines, with different command languages,
protocols, and search parameters
f) Implements the search using investigative protocols appropriate to the discipline
3) Indicator 3: The information literate student retrieves information online or in person
using a variety of methods.
Outcomes Include:
a) Uses various search systems to retrieve information in a variety of formats
b) Uses various classification schemes and other systems (e.g., call number systems or
indexes) to locate information resources within the library or to identify specific sites
for physical exploration
LIB 100
Page 2 of 9
c)
Uses specialized online or in person services available at the institution to retrieve
information needed (e.g., interlibrary loan/document delivery, professional
associations, institutional research offices, community resources, experts and
practitioners)
d) Uses surveys, letters, interviews, and other forms of inquiry to retrieve primary
information
4) Indicator 4: The information literate student summarizes the main ideas to be extracted
from the information gathered.
Outcomes Include:
a) Reads the text and selects main ideas
b) Restates textual concepts in his/her own words and selects data accurately
c)
Identifies verbatim material that can be then appropriately quoted
5) Indicator 5: The information literate student communicates the product or performance
effectively to others.
Outcomes Include:
a) Chooses a communication medium and format that best supports the purposes of the
product or performance and the intended audience
b) Uses a range of information technology applications in creating the product or
performance
c)
Incorporates principles of design and communication
d) Communicates clearly and with a style that supports the purposes of the intended
audience
6) Indicator 6: The information literate student understands many of the ethical, legal and
socio-economic issues surrounding information and information technology.
Outcomes Include:
a) Identifies and discusses issues related to privacy and security in both the print and
electronic environments
b) Demonstrates an understanding of intellectual property, copyright, and fair use of
copyrighted material
Student Evaluation:
Each student’s grade will be based on the successful submission of components that lead to the
completion of a final project, in this case, an annotated bibliography. Throughout the semester
students will be required to submit sections of the annotated bibliography highlighting particular
resources and demonstrating an understanding of the research conducted and the selection of the
resource.
Attendance
LIB 100
Page 3 of 9
Attendance and participation will be factored into grades, especially those that are borderline.
Participation in class is expected as topics discussed have relevance to all and are intended to
generate critical thinking. Excuses for missed classes will be accepted on a case-by-case basis;
however, more than two missed classes (excused or unexcused) will result in the loss of one
letter grade.
Late Assignments
Late assignments may be submitted by the next class date after which they will not be accepted
and will result in a zero grade.
The student’s final grade will be determined using the following grading policy:
93%-100% = “A”
85% - 92% = “B”
77% - 84% = “C”
70% - 76% = “D”
below 69% = “F”
Each student must demonstrate the ability to perform all learning objectives in order to receive a
minimum grade of “C” for the course.
Course Outline:
The following is a tentative schedule for the term. Instructor may deviate from the schedule as
deemed necessary. Advance notice will be provided by your instructor if changes are made to
this schedule.
Week#
Topic
Introduction to research theory (concept
mapping)
1-4
5
LIB 100
Basic searching of online resources: books,
online databases. Overview of an annotated
bibliography. [Sample annotated bibliographies
will be distributed for review]
Advanced searching of online databases using
Boolean operators
Assignment
Identify topic for
bibliography and
begin identifying
sources
Conduct three online
searching
documenting the
results using
Boolean operators
Page 4 of 9
Advanced searching-using folder options in
online databases, federated searching
Create a folder in
Ebscohost and
WilsonWeb
Citations-MLA- Books and Journals
Submit three
bibliographic
references in MLA
format
Citations-APA-Books and Journals
Submit three
bibliographic
references in APA
format
9
Citation tools
Create annotated
bibliography online
using a citation tool
10
Create a annotated
Using Word to create an annotated bibliography bibliography using
Word
6
7
8
Evaluating sources- provide a rubric for
evaluating websites. (Wikipedia)
Identify three online
(non-Internet)
sources and compare
using evaluation
chart
Google- Use Boolean searching, advanced
searching techniques such as truncation,
evaluate results
Identify three
websites for
inclusion in the
annotated
bibliography and
evaluate
13
Google- Scholar, books, e-journals
Identify two
electronic books or
articles for inclusion
in bibliography
14
Citations- Online resources- MLA-APA
Cite the three web
resources used in the
11
12
LIB 100
Page 5 of 9
bibliography
Media resources- YouTube, Hulu, AP Photos,
etc.
Identify two media
resources for
inclusion in the
bibliography
Plagiarism- review of plagiarism, examples of
correctly cited and incorrectly cited work
Exchange of
annotated
bibliographies for
peer review
17
Bias- review of bias, examples of bias online
and print resources
Identify two sources
for inclusion in the
annotated
bibliography that are
clearly biased
18
Presentation on final projects
Projects Due
15
16
LIB 100
Page 6 of 9
Intro to Library
Library 100
Period: _______
Name: _______________________________________
Topic: _______________________________________
Assignments
Topic selection
Concept Map
Cite and Annotate 3 books in MLA format
Online database searches
Using online citation tools
Create an evaluation rubric
Cite and annotate 3 websites in MLA format
Cite and annotate 2 electronic books or articles in
MLA format
Cite and annotate 2 media resources in MLA format
Cite and annotate 2 biased sources in MLA format
Cite and Annotate 3 books in APA format
Cite and annotate 3 websites in APA format
Cite and annotate 2 electronic books or articles in APA
format
Cite and annotate 2 media resources in APA format
Cite and annotate 2 biased sources in APA format
Peer Review Participation
Final Project Presentation
Total
Points
Score
10
10
30
30
10
10
30
20
20
20
30
30
20
20
20
10
30
350
LIB 100
Page 7 of 9
1. Review Syllabus
a. Overview of annotated bibliographies
2. Select topic – research subtopics
3. Develop concept map
a. Concept map continued
b. Finalize concept map
4. Conduct online database searches using Power Library and Destiny
a. Conduct 3 online searches
i. Document the results using Boolean operators
1. Print screen of process
b. Create a folder in EBSCOhost and Wilson Web
i. Document advanced searching in databases
1. Print screen of process
5. Locate print resources related to topic (physical print or online resources)
6. Select 3 books
a. MLA
i. Cite each using MLA format
ii. Annotated summarization of each book
b. APA
i. Cite each using APA format
ii. Annotated summarization of each book
7. Create annotated bibliography online
a. Use citation tool
8. Using Word to create a annotated bibliography
9. Evaluating sources
a. Create a rubric for evaluating websites
i. Identify 3 online sources and compare using evaluation chart (rubric)
10. Identify 3 websites for inclusion in the annotated bibliography
a. Use Google and Boolean searching and advanced searching
i. (print screen to document)
b. Evaluate websites using created rubric.
c. MLA
i. Cite each using MLA format
ii. Annotated summarization for each
d. APA
i. Cite each using APA
ii. Annotated summarization for each
11. Using Google Scholar
a. Identify 2 electronic books or articles for inclusion in the annotated
bibliography
b. MLA
i. Cite each using MLA format
ii. Annotated summarization for each
c. APA
i. Cite each using APA format
ii. Annotated summarization for each
LIB 100
Page 8 of 9
12. Identify 2 media resources for inclusion in the bibliography
a. Media resources
i. YouTube
ii. Hulu
iii. AP Photos
b. MLA
i. Cite each using MLA format
ii. Annotated summarization for each
c. APA
i. Cite each using APA format
ii. Annotated summarization for each
13. Identify 2 biased sources for inclusion in the annotated bibliography
a. MLA
i. Cite each using MLA format
ii. Annotated summarization for each
b. APA
i. Cite each using APA format
ii. Annotated summarization for each
14. Peer Review
a. Review Plagiarism
b. Examples of correctly cited work
c. Examples of incorrectly cited work
d. Exchange annotated bibliographies
i. Peer review
15. Presentation of Final Projects
LIB 100
Page 9 of 9