2. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University1 PRINCIPLES OF SEARCHING 17:610:530 (01) Tefko Saracevic SCILS, Rm. 306 (732)932-7500/Ext. 8222 tefko@scils.rutgers.edu

3. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University2 Communication  Course web site: http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~tefko/Cours es/530 http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~tefko/Cours es/530 Û posted will be exercises, lecture slides, tutorials, information etc. Û download, copy print … u Course listserve lis530_01@rams.rutgers.edu Û RAMS = Rutgers Automated Mail Service Û documentation at http://rams.rutgers.edu/docs.html http://rams.rutgers.edu/docs.html Û you are automatically subscribed from registrar record Û used to email messages to the whole class – the list is open, everybody can email

4. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University3 Your record u RAMS gets the email account from your record u Every student must have an email account recorded at the registrar u Update your record at: http://www.acs.rutgers.edu/ directory Û scroll down till you get to record update for students

5. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University4 Your accounts u Rutgers University Library Û get a barcode and pin Û follow instructions at http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu under How do I…? u DIALOG: Û user name: will get a number from class list Û password: scils u LexisNexis Û user name:will get an ID from Nexis Û password: your last name

6. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University5 Student groups u Form groups of four colleagues) Û each group will have a number Û work out a method for communication, exchanges u Groups will work together in the lab & should cooperate as to exercises u A group will present exercise & other results together u Pick up missed instructions, assignments from the group

7. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University6 Course objectives Integrated understanding of: u Content: content structure of information resources - databases, Web, reference - as they affect searching u Systems: Models of information retrieval (IR) systems, Web search engines, & reference services u Human-human interaction: User information seeking as the context for searching; mediation & interviewing u Human-computer interaction: Principles for effective searching & variations in search strategies & tactics u Results: Alternatives in presentation of results to users; evaluation of results

8. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University7 In order to search you need an understanding of: Content: What is in the sources? How is it organized? Systems: Where? What kinds? IR, Web, References... Human-human interaction: How? You and the user Human-computer interaction: How? You and the computer Results: What & how to present; evaluate

9. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University8 Symbolically... ? Content System HHI HCI Results

10. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University9 What will the course NOT do? u Create professional searchers out of you u Make you an expert on databases, systems, Web engines

11. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University10 What will the course DO? u Provide you with a practical & theoretical foundation and framework on basis of which you can then: Û develop into a professional searcher or technical assistant to users Û grow & evolve with the field Û adjust to inevitable changes in the world of searching Û eventually, depending on your other courses & life-long learning, become an expert

12. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University11 Mix u The course is a mix of Û theory Û experimentation Û practice u Why theory? Û Base for further understanding & professional development Û nothing more practical than a good theory

13. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University12 Topics covered 1. Overview Theme A: Structure of content 2. Databases; structure of records 3. Structure of indexes; vocabularies Theme B: Systems for searching 4. IR models; Boolean & ranking 5. Web search engines. Reference Theme C: Human-human interaction 6. Information seeking by users 7. Intermediaries; mediation

14. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University13 Topics (cont.) Theme D: Human-computer interaction 8. Interfaces; navigation, browsing 9. Effective search strategies & tactics Theme E: Results 10. Presentation & display of results 11. Evaluation results & projects

15. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University14 Course structure 1. Lectures 2. Required readings (book bibliography & reserve on RUL) with Summaries - per schedule (50% of grade) 3. Laboratory exercises 4. Discussion 5. Term project (50% of grade)

16. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University15 Summaries u Brief critical review u Relate to (points added for this): Û relevant personal, professional experiences with library & information services; examples Û translation/implication for practice Û questions for discussion, and/or Û other readings, topics, courses, project, exercise u Follow APA format u MUST have prescribed heading (points deducted if not)

17. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University16 Laboratory exercises u Using DIALOG, Lexis-Nexis, Web search engines Û Search for answers for given questions Û Use a variety of tactics & features u Homework exercises as per schedule u Work cooperatively in groups

18. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University17 Term project u Select a specific user with an inf. need to do an online search u Interview the user (if necessary several times) u Construct a user model u Select databases for searching u Construct search strategies & conduct searching - reiterate u Organize results for presentation u Present results to user; evaluate u Write a technical report

19. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University18 Technical report u Selection of user: who? u User question & model Û what task? how much knows? what topics? terminology? priorities? u Mode & results of interviews u Summary of search tactics & approaches, dynamics u Changes in user model, user definition of problem u Changes in searching & you u Evaluation -what does or does not work? What effects of decisions? Û What would you do differently?

20. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University19 Exercises 1 & 2 DIALOG tutorials LEARN & PRACTICE: u Contents of databases u Structure of databases & records - BLUE SHEETS u Basic search commands u Basic output commands u Logical operators, execution u Truncation u Searching in fields u DIALINDEX; OneSearch

21. © Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University20