LIS 407 Reference and Information Services
Course Objectives
Relevant learning outcomes
The GLSIS faculty have identified ten student learning outcomes, and each course addresses one or more of these.
- Demonstrate knowledge of print and electronic information retrieval procedures.
- Develop user-centered srategies for solving reference problems, while demonstrating a command of current issues and trends.
- Analyze, synthesize, and communicate information in a variety of formats.
- Analyze information problems and develop solutions, drawing from a wide range of information technology tools and practices.
Course-specific learning outcomes
By the end of the course, the student
- Understand how to use a wide variety of print and electronic reference sources from all of the major categories (bibliographies, dictionaries, indexes, etc.
- Create their own annotated bibliography of major reference sources by examining and taking notes on recommended texts and databases in preparation for the final exam.
- evaluate information sources on the basis of authority scope, audience, etc. and thus assess their suitability for answering individual reference questions.
- Feel comfortable answering sample reference/ research questions on their own by identifying the best reference sources for answering those questions
- Develop an understanding of the basic principles of database and online searching.
Course information
Assignments
- Reference Source Reviews
- Sample Reference Questions One
- Sample Reference Questions Two
- Annotated Bibliography
Handouts, etc.
- Source Evaluation Guidelines
- How to Write an Annotated Bibliography
- Reference Source Evaluation Criteria
- Brief Description of Reference Source Typology
Useful Links
- ALA Library Bill of Rights and its Interpretations
- ALA Code of Ethics
- RUSA's Definition of a Reference Transaction
- RUSA Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Professionals
- RUSA Professional Competencies for Reference and Information Service Professionals
- RUSA Guidelines for Implementing and Maintaining a Virtual Reference Service
- RUSA Guidelines for Medical, Legal, and Business Responses
- ACRL Information Literacy Competencies for Higher Education
- The Future of Academic Libraries and Higher Education
- ACRL wikis
- RUSA Guidelines for Preparation of a Bibliography
- University of California Santa Cruz Annotated Bibliography Guide
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Annotated Bibliography Guide
- Cornell University: How to Critically Evaluate a Source
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