Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
LIBD001.
Course Title (CB02)
Library Research Skills
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
The course introduces skills needed to locate, evaluate, and cite information. The course focuses on the resources of academic libraries including online catalogs, periodical indexes, and instructional websites. This course will prepare students to do the basic research necessary to effectively complete written and oral assignments.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Library Science]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - LIBRARY SCIENCE]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

Essential library and information skills encompass more than just location and access to sources. Library Research Skills will enhance the ability of students to locate, evaluate, analyze, and cite information found on the Internet. The course is UC and CSU transferable. It belongs on the Liberal Arts (Business and Computer Information Systems Emphasis) A.A. degree.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
1.0
Maximum Credit Units
1.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours1.02.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
12.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
12.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
24.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D261. and ESL D265., or ESL D461. and ESL D465., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

In-class exploration of library websites.

Assignments based on library subscription databases and Internet websites.

Quiz and examination review performed online.

E-mail communication and feedback.

"Discussions" tab in Canvas.

Assignments

  1. Reading: Course introduction and website.
  2. Reading: introductory paragraphs preceding each assignment.
  3. Five online assignments covering: Library catalogs and online search tools; Dictionaries, encyclopedias and statistics; Journal and periodical databases; International, local and historical newspapers; Evaluating and citing websites.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Five assignments based on Course Objectives listed above, written portions graded on correctness and demonstration of analytical skills.
  2. Periodicals quiz which reviews assignment 3, "Magazines, Journals & Periodical Databases".
  3. Final exam which reviews skills introduced in the class.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • None

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Brown, Christopher C.Harnessing the power of Google : what every researcher should knowSanta Barbara, California : Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC2017
Booth, Wayne C.The Craft of ResearchChicago : The University of Chicago Press2024, 5th
Spencer, StephanGoogle Power Search: The Essential Guide to Finding Anything Online with GoogleKoshkonong2021, 3rd978-0999284728

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Use a library catalog to search for books, electronic books, and non-print materials.
  • Practice searching using search tools such as Google and Yahoo!
  • Attain awareness of domain extensions (.edu, .gov, .com, .org) and how these may affect the website's content.
  • Practice using subscription databases to locate journal, magazine, and newspaper articles.
  • Acquire ability to use local, national and international newspapers as research tools.
  • Recognize and apply the necessary elements for citing information from journals, newspaper articles, and web pages.
  • Develop critical thinking skills that can be applied to evaluating Web pages and other online content.

CSLOs

  • Evaluate several databases and select the appropriate one to find needed information.

Outline

  1. Use a library catalog to search for books, electronic books, and non-print materials.
    1. Search library catalog by subject keyword; determine title and call number of a book.
    2. Search library catalog for DVDs on a particular topic.
    3. Search library catalog by title and recognize a book that is "physically" in the library and one that is electronic in format.
    4. Search library catalog for a book that is not owned at °®¶¹´«Ã½. Practice searching for an alternative library to locate book.
  2. Practice searching using search tools such as Google and Yahoo!
    1. Use the define: search and image search techniques.
    2. Locate statistical sources.
    3. Locate encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesaurus.
  3. Attain awareness of domain extensions (.edu, .gov, .com, .org) and how these may affect the website's content.
    1. Evaluate .org sites for credibility.

      .org websites may contain biased information.
    2. Look for a website's appropriateness as an information source.

      For instance, .gov and .edu are likely to be regulated and verified domains.
  4. Practice using subscription databases to locate journal, magazine, and newspaper articles.
    1. Learn to identify and use a periodical database.
    2. Recognize the differences between scholarly journals and popular magazines.
    3. Locate articles from a DeAnza College Library subscription database.
  5. Acquire ability to use local, national and international newspapers as research tools.
    1. Describe and locate newspaper editorials.
    2. Locate and analyze the importance of using international newspaper articles.
    3. Locate local newspaper websites.
  6. Recognize and apply the necessary elements for citing information from journals, newspaper articles, and web pages.
    1. Review the primary elements of a bibliographic reference for newspapers, journals, and books (print format).
    2. Determine necessary elements of citation for electronic materials.
      1. full text newspaper articles from a subscription database
      2. full text journal articles from a subscription database
      3. web pages
  7. Develop critical thinking skills that can be applied to evaluating Web pages and other online content.
    1. Examine criteria for evaluating web resources.
    2. Examine some "hoax" websites and compare them to reputable resources.
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