CLIS J705 - Introduction to Research

in Library & Information Science

Course Syllabus

University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science

Session:

Summer II 2003

Times:

T Th 4pm-645pm. Wardlaw

Adjunct Instructor:

Dr. Curtis R. Rogers

E-mail Address:

curtisrogers@curtisrogers.info

Class Web Site:

http://www.curtisrogers.info/J705.htm

Office Hours:

By appointment only.

Teaching Philosophy:

To challenge participants to ask themselves about personal limits, independence, and interdependence while fostering a free flow of knowledge. To embrace chaos by learning from what it offers, not rejecting it because of fear of the unknown.

Approach to Course:

Teaching strategies utilized during the course will include a combination of lectures, discussion, and exercises.

Textbook/Readings:

REQUIRED: Basic Research Methods for Librarians. Ron Powell. 3^rd ed. Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1997. ISBN 1-57231-368-4

REQUIRED: American Libraries, May 1994 v25 n5 p449(1) Losing the foundation of understanding. (Decline in library research) (Column) Donald E. Riggs. Brief Summary: A decrease in library science research is eroding the theoretical base of the library profession. Factors contributing to the decrease include increasing demands on staff time and lack of stringent tenure review requirements. Steps in solving the problem are discussed. Accessible full-text via DISCUS – InfoTrac OneFile database.

Recommended Reading (not required): Foucault for Beginners. Lydia Fillingham. New York: Writers and Readers, Inc. 1993. ISBN: 0-86316-160-X. Available at www.amazon.com

Course Description:

Overview of present status of research in library and information science; introduction to research methods and their application to librarianship; designed to prepare students to evaluate and plan research studies relating to library and information science.

Course Format:

The class format will incorporate numerous instructional techniques. Lectures will be provided via television broadcast. You are required to attend the broadcast sessions and to participate in the activities and on the listserv discussions.

Course Objectives:

To become familiar with library science research sources and terminology, and examine existing research in the field.
To investigate the scientific method of inquiry and apply evaluative criteria to survey instruments in order to become knowledgeable consumers and producers of research reports.
To examine research methods and collection of data techniques, becoming familiar with qualitative and quantitative research in the field.
To identify a researchable problem and write a research proposal using a choice of methodologies.
To learn and apply interdisciplinary principles to research in information creation, management and use.
To appreciate the need for research in the library and information science professions.
To relate research findings in library and information science to practical issues of library and information systems management.

Attendance:

University and College policies require that students attend at least 75% of all classes. Anyone missing more than 25% of classes (4 or more classes based on 15 class sessions) may receive a grade of F for the course.

Saturday On-site Class. Students are required to attend ALL class meetings and the on-site class. It is strongly recommended that you do not take the course if you cannot fulfill the required assignments nor attend the on-site classes. Exceptions will be made for medical emergencies or severe weather conditions. You must notify the instructor as soon as possible.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Accommodations will be made for students with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the office of Disability Services at (803) 777-6742 or go to the University's web site for more detailed information.

Assignments & Grades:

Evaluation:

Participation 15%

Research Article Critique Assignments 40%

Research Proposal 45%

Submitting Assignments:

VIA EMAIL:

Put the course number in the subject line of your e-mail message.

Include your first and last name in the body of the message.

You must submit assignments as attachments. These assignments SHOULD be saved as Rich Text Format (.rtf) files so that different versions of MS-WORD (or Mac formats) will be consistently readable.

Please remember to Number your pages!

Do not send more than 2 attachments with a single e-mail message.

Submit assignments to: curtisrogers@curtisrogers.info and cc: mstoehr@gwm.sc.edu

2 Research Article Critiques (40% [total of 20 points each]; Due 7/15 and 7/22)

You will evaluate the quality and presentation of a published research-related article by writing an analysis in essay format. You will be provided a list of citations from which to choose your two critiques. Each should be no longer than 5 pages total. FORMAT: Double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font.

Research Proposal (45%; [total of 45 points] Due 7/31)

You will develop a proposal for a research study. The proposal will involve examining, investigating, or exploring an issue in a library and information science environment. FORMAT: Length should be no less than 10 pages and no greater than 20 pages, double-spaced, 12 point font.

Class Participation (15% [total of 15 points])

You are expected to actively participate in the listserv and classroom/call-in discussions. I will periodically ask students at remote viewing sites to call in and provide input if I have not heard from you. If you live in Columbia, please make a concerted effort to attend class in the studio.

You are required to subscribe to the class listserv immediately after the first class meeting.

Here's how you subscribe:
send a message to: listserv@listserv.sc.edu

leave the subject line blank
type this message: subscribe clis705l yourfirstname yourlastname

(note, after the 5 is the letter L, not the #1)

All assignments must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in the research proposal. The Code of Student Academic Responsibility and all other University of South Carolina honor codes and rules governing plagiarism are in effect. Correct usage of academic English, spelling, grammar, and composition are expected. Note: You are encouraged to use spell check, grammar check, etc. Points will be deducted for failure to use correct spelling, grammar, and composition.

All graded exams and assignments will be marked using one of the following letter grades.

Letter Grade	Numeric Grade
A	93 – 100
B+	89 – 92
B	81 – 88
C+	77 – 80
C	69 – 76
D	60 – 68
F	Below 59

It is the responsibility of the student to maintain a copy of all graded and returned materials for use as evidence in any question that might arise regarding the final grade in the course.

Useful Web Sites & Links

The Researching Librarian http://www.researchinglibrarian.com/

Resources for Methods in Evaluation and Social Research. http://gsociology.icaap.org/methods/

Course Schedule

Research Article Critique Assignment

Research Proposal

Interesting Article - Accessible full-text via DISCUS – InfoTrac OneFile database:

In The American Statistician, May 2003 v57 i2 p74(6)

"What educated citizens should know about statistics and probability." Jessica Utts.

Much has changed since the widespread introduction of statistics courses into the university curriculum, but the way introductory statistics courses are taught has not kept up with these changes. This article discusses the changes, and the way the introductory syllabus should change to reflect them. In particular, seven ideas are discussed that every student who takes elementary statistics should learn and understand in order to be an educated citizen. Misunderstanding these topics leads to cynicism among the public at best, and misuse of study results by policy-makers, physicians, and others at worst.

updated 06/13/2003