Course Title: Advanced Information Retrieval

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Information Retrieval

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

LIBR1057

City Campus

Postgraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009

LIBR1057

City Campus

Postgraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2018

LIBR1057

City Campus

Postgraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Internet

Sem 2 2019

LIBR1096

City Campus

Undergraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011

Course Coordinator: Dr. Paul Mercieca

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5825

Course Coordinator Email: paul.mercieca@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course aims to provide students with advanced techniques and practices of electronic information retrieval. The emphasis is on understanding how to successfully search commercial information databases. The course outlines how such databases are structured and how to interrogate the associated search interfaces so as to improve result output. This is completed in a broad framework of accessing user needs as related to electronic information products; cost and effectiveness of electronic database searching; techniques for client interviewing concerning information product requirements; professional and management issues, product evaluation and review.

 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

.


At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Understand principles and advanced techniques associated with database searching,
• Understand the structure and nature of the digital information environment;
• Assess client needs as related to online information products;
• Develop techniques for interviewing clients to determine information needs related to database searching;
• Identify, evaluate and select online information products to satisfy client needs;
• Complete complex searches using a variety of databases and interfaces
 


Overview of Learning Activities

In order to develop the stated course capabilities, you are expected to actively participate in the following learning activities:
• Regular attendance and active participation in scheduled lectures and workshops.
• Completion of practical tasks associated with searching commercial databases
• Demonstration of practical search skills and the ability to access and respond to user information needs and requirements
• Reading of course notes and other assigned reading materials and active participation in group discussions.
• Satisfactory completion of all assessment tasks
While a minimum attendance standard is not compulsory in this course, satisfactory completion of the program is required. Most students will find that regular class attendance is needed to achieve the necessary standard to pass this course.
 


Overview of Learning Resources

All course materials are available online at www.rmit.edu.au/online. Information regarding access will be given in the first class.
Extensive use will be made of commercial electronic databases and information on how to access these databases will be provided during the course.
 


Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course allows you to explore a search and retrieval issue, examine your current search processes and develop a detailed search and report for a client.
Penalties will be applied for late submission of assessment components.

Should the course coordinator deem that variation to the assessment tasks is needed, then this will be discussed with the class and will only proceed with documented consent of 75 percent of the class.