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Spring1999
Syllabus for INFS470 Special Topics: Scientific Literature and Communication in the Sciences

Risė L. Smith
Public Services Librarian/Associate Professor
Office---Library, Rm. 105
Phone--Office: 256-7128,
Internet Address: smithr@columbia.dsu.edu
URL: http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/smithr
INFS 470 home page: http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/smithr/ScienceLit/

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

PREFIX, NUMBER, AND TITLE:
INFS 470 Special Topics -- Scientific Literature and Communication in the Sciences.

CREDIT HOURS: 2 semester hours

APPROVED COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to scientific literature, its structure and use in science, technology and related business with special emphasis on electronic search and retrieval theories and applications.

PREREQUISITES: None

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION:

ADA: If there is any student in this class who, due to a disability, has need for non-standard note taking, test taking, or other course modification, please feel free to come and discuss this with me privately, as soon as possible. Also, please contact the DSU ADA Coordinator, Nancy Moose, 256-5146, located in the Student Services Center.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Attendance is expected.

TEXTBOOK AND OTHER REFERENCES:
Required texts: (Note: Required textbooks will be available on 3-hour reserve in the Library)

Additional readings will be assigned as needed. Copies of all reading assignments will either be on reserve at the main desk of the library or will be in the periodical or reference collections of the library.

COMPUTER SKILLS USED: Word-processing. CD-ROM and Internet searching.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. understand the nature of scientific communication and its relation to the structure of scientific literature.

2. understand the key issues in scientific information access -- such as, scientific freedom and restriction of information for reasons of national security, scientific responsibility, and effects of electronic networking.

3. be able to correctly cite scientific literature.

4. be able to develop and carry out research strategies using both traditional and computerized search and retrieval methods.

5. be able to use the various types of sources which make up the literature of science and technology.

6. be able to solve a variety of typical research problems

ACTUALIZING the OBJECTIVES: In order to realize the aforementioned objectives the following activities will be undertaken:
1. Review and cite current literature

2. Solve simulated research problems

3. Develop and carry out research strategies using print and online sources.

4. Lurk on an electronic discussion list and report on its nature and contents.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES: Individual and group problem-solving activities, demonstration, lecture, discussion, writing, and individual research projects.

EVALUATION PROCEDURE:
The final grade will be based on:

Additional Reading
(Additional reading may be assigned from this bibliography, which will be updated throughout semester)

Borman, Stu. 1994. Electronic laboratory notebooks may revolutionize research recordkeeping. Chemical & Engineering News 72 (May 23): 10-20.

Crawford, Susan Y., Hurd, Julie M., and Weller, Ann C. 1996. From Print to Electronic: The Transformation of Scientific Communication. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc.

Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science, volume 26. 1979. Marcel Dekker, New York.

Gould, Constance & Pearce, Karla. 1991. Information Needs in the Sciences: An Assessment. Research Libraries Group, Inc., Mountain View, CA.

Lancaster, F. W. 1995. The evolution of electronic publishing. Library Trends 43: 518-527.

Mount, Ellis & Kovacs, Beatrice. 1991. Using Science and Technology Information Sources. Oryx Press, Phoenix, AZ.

Pritchard, Eileen and Scott, Paula R. 1996. Literature Searching in Science, Technology, and Agriculture. Rev. ed. Westport, CT : Greenwood Press.

Relyea, Harold C. 1994. Silencing Science: National Security Controls and Scientific Communication. Ablex Publishing, Norwood, NJ.

Schaffner, Ann C. 1994. The future of scientific journals: lessons from the past. Information Technology and Libraries 13 (December): 239-247.

Selter, Charles. "Better, Faster Web Searching." Macworld 13 (Dec 1996): 159-162.

Suggestions For Keeping A Laboratory Notebook. no date. Available: http://www.parrett.net/~bgallup/instruction.htm [January 8, 1997]. Scientific Notebook Company, Stevensville, MI.

Taubes, Gary. 1996. Science journals go wired. Science 271 (February 9): 764-766.

Walker, Richard & Hurt, C.D. 1990. Scientific and Technical Literature: An Introduction to Forms of Communication. ALA, Chicago, IL.

Zimmerman, Donald E. & Muraski, Michel Lynn. 1995. The Elements of Information Gathering. Oryx Press, Phoenix, AZ.

 

Last updated 01/07/99
©Risė L. Smith, Karl E. Mundt Library, Dakota State University, Madison, SD 57042-1799

Return to home page of: INFS 470    
Go to homepage of : Risė Smith Mundt Library Dakota State