Specialized Information Retrieval course for postgraduate students specializing in information technology at TUTL Küllike Märtmaa TUT Library

Background In 1998-1999 the Library participated in the European Union information search distan ce education project DEDICATE . The practical outcome of the DEDICATE course was the Information Literacy course designed and prepared for integration at Tallinn Univeristy of Technology.

In 1998-1999 the Library participated in the European Union information search distan ce education project DEDICATE .

The practical outcome of the DEDICATE course was the Information Literacy course designed and prepared for integration at Tallinn Univeristy of Technology.

Sources used as reference Chalmers University of Technology Library self-study Into Info program . Helsinki University of Technology Library web-based course Searching for Scientific Information . Large, A., Tedd, L.A., Hartley, R.J. Information Seeking in the Online Age: Principles and Practice. London, 2001.

Chalmers University of Technology Library self-study Into Info program .

Helsinki University of Technology Library web-based course Searching for Scientific Information .

Large, A., Tedd, L.A., Hartley, R.J. Information Seeking in the Online Age: Principles and Practice. London, 2001.

From face-to-face to distance 2000-2002 face-to-face lectures and practical exercises in computer lab. 2003- distance learning course in web environment.

2000-2002 face-to-face lectures and practical exercises in computer lab.

2003- distance learning course in web environment.

Course is designed by library

Important aspects in designing the course environment stability – environment must be usable by different browsers; easy to follow – an overview of course materials, independent exercises, deadlines, debts, results; information exchange – the system informs a teacher automatically of the arrival of the answer by e-mail, likewise a student is informed that the answer has been controlled.

stability – environment must be usable by different browsers;

easy to follow – an overview of course materials, independent exercises, deadlines, debts, results;

information exchange – the system informs a teacher automatically of the arrival of the answer by e-mail, likewise a student is informed that the answer has been controlled.

Course objectives After completing this course the student should be able to: understand how information is organized by libraries, create an effective search profile and search strategy, use print and electronic sources to locate scientific information, evaluate and cite information found .

After completing this course the student should be able to:

understand how information is organized by libraries,

create an effective search profile and search strategy,

use print and electronic sources to locate scientific information,

evaluate and cite information found .

Course arrangement course is organized in spring term, course period is eight weeks, material is divided into 4 moduls, each modul consists of course material and homework on chosen topic, course gives 1,5 credit points in the master programme.

course is organized in spring term,

course period is eight weeks,

material is divided into 4 moduls,

each modul consists of course material and homework on chosen topic,

course gives 1,5 credit points in the master programme.

Outline of course content Introduction to course (face-to-face meeting) – The course description. Introduction to web environment. It will be explained what students need to do to get credits for the course. Module 1 What is Information Literacy. The search strategy: Boolean search model, Boolean query model, proximity searching, truncation etc. Module 2 TUT library services and catalogues. E-journals database A-to Z. Preparation of a work-cited list for print and electronic resources. Module 3 Introduction to database searching. Electronic information sources available in TTU network. Bibliographic and full-text online databases in the area of science and technology. Module 4 Online databases in the area of information technology, e-books databases. Scientific information on the Internet. Evaluating the information critically. Final report Information retrieval process overview.

Introduction to course (face-to-face meeting) – The course description. Introduction to web environment. It will be explained what students need to do to get credits for the course.

Module 1 What is Information Literacy. The search strategy: Boolean search model, Boolean query model, proximity searching, truncation etc.

Module 2 TUT library services and catalogues. E-journals database A-to Z. Preparation of a work-cited list for print and electronic resources.

Module 3 Introduction to database searching. Electronic information sources available in TTU network. Bibliographic and full-text online databases in the area of science and technology.

Module 4 Online databases in the area of information technology, e-books databases. Scientific information on the Internet. Evaluating the information critically.

Final report Information retrieval process overview.

Homework Everyone chooses the topic about which they will search for information. It could be master thesis subject, project work, writing a literature survey etc. Their homework consists of: introduction to the topic, identifying search terms, compiling of search profiles, carrying out searches in different information sources, evaluating relevance, citing and creating reference list.

Everyone chooses the topic about which they will search for information. It could be master thesis subject, project work, writing a literature survey etc. Their homework consists of:

introduction to the topic,

identifying search terms,

compiling of search profiles,

carrying out searches in different information sources,

evaluating relevance,

citing and creating reference list.

Example of homework

Students feedback The course was more useful than I expected. I suggest every degree student to take this course. Beside Google I discovered another world which contains more relevant information. More examples for homework tasks. There could be practising sessions or training classes.

The course was more useful than I expected.

I suggest every degree student to take this course.

Beside Google I discovered another world which contains more relevant information.

More examples for homework tasks.

There could be practising sessions or training classes.

Thank you for your attention!