LIBR 557: Information Retrieval Concepts and Practice - Course Syllabus (3)

Program : Master of Library and Information Studies
Year: 2009-2010, Winter Session, Term 2
Course Schedule: Mondays 2:00-4:50
Location : IKBLC, Terrace Lab
Instructor : Luanne Freund
Office location: IKBLC, Room 485
Office Hours: Drop in or by appointment
Office phone : 604-822-0825
E-mail address : luanne.freund@ubc.ca
Course web site address : http://faculty.arts.ubc.ca/lfreund/LIBR557.htm

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Course Goals : The primary focus of this course is on the techniques and strategies required to effectively and efficiently use information retrieval systems; it builds on the skills and techniques you learned in LIBR 500, 501, 502, and 503. Current research in online searching is also covered. Although an ability to conduct searches in one or more systems, such as QuickLaw or search engines such as Google , is an expected outcome of the course, it is not a major objective. Instead, the focus is on more conceptual issues, such as database structure, language issues, database selection, search strategies, and evaluation of results. Specific online systems serve as illustrations. The course is designed to provide students with a strong base to learn other systems, especially given today's ever-changing information environment, in addition to knowledge of specific systems.

Course Objectives : Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

• Understand and discuss current issues and research in online searching and information retrieval
• Appreciate the capabilities and limitations of information retrieval systems
• Identify search concepts in an information request
• Employ appropriate search strategies and vocabularies for online and Internet searching
• Identify and exploit characteristics of reference and source databases and search systems for effective searching
• List and discuss evaluation criteria for commercial and Internet-based search systems
• Demonstrate problem solving skills to handle a complex search problem
• Identify and discuss problems, issues, and future developments in information retrieval and online searching

Course Topics:

• Use of search vocabularies (controlled, natural, free, pre-coordination, numeric, etc.) and their application in specialized search environments
• Advanced search strategy formulation
• Current research issues and trends associated with various aspects of computer-based information retrieval
• The content and structure of information resources in databases and on the WWW, with emphasis on relevance to searching
• Various models of information retrieval (IR) systems, WWW search tools, with emphasis on relevance to searching
• Principles for effective searching and variations in search strategies and tactics
• Alternatives in presentation of results to users and evaluation of retrieval results
• Identify and discuss problems, issues, and future developments in information retrieval and online searching

Prerequisites : ARST/LIBR 500, 501, 502, 503 for students in the MLIS and Dual programs. ARST/LIBR 500, ARST 510, ARST 515, ARST 516, ARST 520, ARST 540, ARST 573, ARST 587 for students in the MAS program

Format of the course : Multiple formats will be used including; lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and small group work. Classes will include hands-on exercises in the computer lab.

Required and Recommended Reading : Both required and recommended readings will be assigned throughout the term. These will be available in electronic format from the UBC Library or other web-based sources.

Course Assignments, Due dates and Weight in relation to final course mark:

All course assignments will be individual projects.

Course Assignments, Due dates and Weight in relation to final course mark:

Assignment	Due Date	Weight
Assignment #1 – Search Concepts Wiki Contribution	January 18	20%
Assignment #2 – In-class test on Search Concepts	February 1	10%
Assignment #3 – Two Minute Madness Presentations	March 1	20%
Assignment #4 – Search Strategy	March 29	15%
Assignment #5 – State of the Art Report	April 16	35%

Course Schedule [subject to change]:

Date	Topics	Assignments Due
1. January 4	Introduction to Course Key Concepts in IR
2. January 11	Key Concepts in IR
3. January 18	IR Models Exact Match Model	Assignment 1 due
4. January 25	IR Models Best Match Model
5. February 1	Search Strategies, Tactics & Evaluation   Commercial Database Systems I -Bibliographic Databases	Assignment 2 (In class test)
6. February 8	Commercial Database Systems II   Issues: Licensing and Working with Vendors !
February 15-26	READING BREAK
7. March 1	Student Presentations – Search Systems	Assignment 3 due
8. March 8	The Evolution of Web Searching General Web Search Tools
9. March 22	Google & Bing indepth
10. March 29	Trends: Customized, adaptive and pro-active retrieval	Assignment 4 due
11. April 5	No Class (Easter Monday)
12. April 12	Course Summary   Informal student presentations of State of the Art Reports	Assignment 5 due last day of classes

 

Attendance: The calendar states: “Regular attendance is expected of students in all their classes (including lectures, laboratories, tutorials, seminars, etc.). Students who neglect their academic work and assignments may be excluded from the final examinations. Students who are unavoidably absent because of illness or disability should report to their instructors on return to classes.”

Written & Spoken English Requirement: Written and spoken work may receive a lower mark if it is, in the opinion of the instructor, deficient in English.

Disability Accommodation: The University accommodates students with disabilities who have registered with the Disability Resource Centre [ http://www.students.ubc.ca/access/drc.cfm ]. You must register with the Disability Resource Centre to be granted special accommodations for any on-going conditions.

Religious Accommodation: The University accommodates students whose religious obligations conflict with attendance, submitting assignments, or completing scheduled tests and examinations. Please let your instructor know in advance, preferably in the first week of class, if you will require any accommodation on these grounds. Students who plan to be absent for varsity athletics, family obligations, or other similar commitments, cannot assume they will be accommodated, and should discuss their commitments with the instructor before the course drop date. UBC policy on Religious Holidays: http://www.universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies/policy65.pdf .

Academic Dishonesty: Please review the UBC Calendar Academic regulations for the University policy on cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty: http://www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=3,54,111,959 . Also visit and review the contents of these two resources: Plagiarism Resource Centre: For Students: http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/plagiarism/welcome.html and Plagiarism Avoided: Taking Responsibility For Your Work: http://www.arts.ubc.ca/Plagiarism_Avoided.373.0.html for useful information on avoiding plagiarism and on correct documentation practice. Students are held responsible for knowing and following all University regulations regarding academic dishonesty. If a student does not know how to properly cite a source or what constitutes proper use of a source it is the student's personal responsibility to obtain the needed information and to apply it within University guidelines and policies. If evidence of academic dishonesty is found in a course assignment, previously submitted work in this course may be reviewed for possible academic dishonesty and grades modified as appropriate. University policy requires that all incidents of academic dishonesty must be forwarded to the Dean’s office for review and possible action.