Seminar in Information Science - Collecting and Analysing Data for Evidence Based Decisions
INFO 287

Dr. Renée Jefferson
E-mail
Other contact information: telephone: (843) 991-3346
Office Hours: Virtual, by appointment

This course offers a practical introduction to data collection and analysis methods used by library and information science professionals to make evidence-based decisions.  Focus is on primary and secondary data collection methods as well as qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods.  Students will compare and contrast different data collection and data analysis methods published in library and information science literature.  They will explore different types of evidence and how they inform decision-making.

Expectations

Students are expected to participate fully in all class activities. It is expected that students will be open-minded and participate fully in discussions in class and debate in a mature and respectful manner. Use of derogatory, condescending, or offensive language including profanity is prohibited. Disagreement is healthy and perfectly acceptable. Expressing disagreement should always include an explanation of your reasoning and, whenever possible, evidence to support your position. In accordance with San José State University's Policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable state and federal laws, discrimination based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited in any form.

Course Workload

Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.

Instructional time may include but is not limited to:
Working on posted modules or lessons prepared by the instructor; discussion forum interactions with the instructor and/or other students; making presentations and getting feedback from the instructor; attending office hours or other synchronous sessions with the instructor.

Student time outside of class:
In any seven-day period, a student is expected to be academically engaged through submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam or an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; building websites, blogs, databases, social media presentations; attending a study group; contributing to an academic online discussion; writing papers; reading articles; conducting research; engaging in small group work.

Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes) Supported

INFO 287 supports the following core competencies:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of data collection methods and their use in making evidence-based decisions.
2. Compare and contrast data collection methods used in library and information science research.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of data analysis methods and their use in making evidence-based decisions.
4. Compare and contrast data analysis methods used in library and information science research.

Textbooks

Required Textbooks:

• Connaway, L. & Powell, R. (2010). Basic research methods for librarians 5th edition. Libraries Unlimited. Available as free eBook through King Library

• Small, R. V., & Mardis, M. A. (2018). Research methods for librarians and educators: Practical applications in formal and informal learning environments. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: B07CGMR7Q6

Recommended Textbooks:

• Lewis-Beck, M., Bryman, A., & Liao, T. (2004) The SAGE encyclopedia of social science research methods. SAGE. Available as free eBook through King Library

Grades

The following table includes the course assignment points and due dates. Due dates may change to accommodate class needs. Sufficient notice will be provided for any change in due dates.

Late Assignment Policy

Assignments are designed to accommodate students with a variety of work schedules and personal commitments. The schedule assumes all coursework will be collected by midnight Pacific Time (PT) on the assigned date. If you have an illness (medical documentation required) or family emergency, please contact the instructor. Late assignments (submitted after midnight on the assigned date) will result in a reduction of points. The points for an assignment will be reduced by 5% for each day that the assignment is submitted after the due date. Extra-credit assignments are not available. Incomplete grades will not be granted except in extraordinary circumstances.

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:

• C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
• B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work or undergraduate (for BS-ISDA);
  For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA, Informatics, BS-ISDA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation. You must repeat the class if you wish to stay in the program. If - on the second attempt - you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  
• A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.

Graduate Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Per University Policy S16-9 (PDF), relevant university policy concerning all courses, such as student responsibilities, academic integrity, accommodations, dropping and adding, consent for recording of class, etc. and available student services (e.g. learning assistance, counseling, and other resources) are listed on the Syllabus Information web page. Make sure to visit this page to review and be aware of these university policies and resources.

The schedule represents an overview of the topics that will be covered. Depending on class needs, the schedule is subject to change. The majority of the assignments are due on Sunday at 11:59 PM (PT) unless otherwise noted.