The assignments in INFO 200 are meant to build on your knowledge of a community’s information behavior, understanding of peer-reviewed research and community-created resources related to your chosen group, and a synthesis of the course content with findings about the community. Your blog posts and other major assignments should help provide content and insights for the successful completion of the research paper. Your blog posts can be remixed and re-used! The examples listed below demonstrate the path from blogging, through the assignments, to a successful paper.
Below you will find three examples of information communities researched in the past. You will find links to their individual blog posts (posts 2-7), as well as to the four major assignments of this course, including the research paper. It is highly recommended that you look over at least one past example in order to gain a better understanding of the assignment and what is expected.
These examples were completed in previous semesters and include an assignment that has since been replaced by the LIS Model/Theory Research Summary. The past assignment, which was a context book review, is no longer a requirement for INFO 200. Because of this, there is no sample assignment for the LIS Model/Theory Research Summary and some examples listed may include information related to the context book review. This semester is the first time the LIS Model/Theory Research Summary is being used for this course.
The Sleuthing Citizen Detectives Community:
Here is an example from a previous student whose work focused on Sleuthing Citizen Detectives as an information community illustrating the path from blogging, through the assignments, to a successful paper. This example utilizes the Serious Leisure Perspective as a theoretical framework. Many thanks to SJSU student Corrina Oates for providing these assignments!
Blog Posts:
Blog Post #3: Report on the information-seeking behavior and information needs of chosen community
Blog Post #6: Report on the issues your community may face on an international scale
Blog Post #7: Report on your community’s use of emerging technologies
Assignments:
Literature Review Matrix (PDF)
The Homesteader Community:
Here is an example from a previous student whose work focused on Homesteaders as an information community illustrating the path from blogging, through the assignments, to a successful paper. This example uses the Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS) model in order to evaluate and examine the homesteader community’s behavior in the modern day. Thank you to SJSU student Aaron Tassin for providing these assignments!
Blog Posts:
Blog Post #3: Report on the information-seeking behavior and information needs of chosen community
Blog Post #6: Report on the issues your community may face on an international scale
Blog Post #7: Report on your community’s use of emerging technologies
Assignments:
Literature Review Matrix (PDF)
The Artist Community:
Here is an example from a previous student whose work focused on Artists as an information community illustrating the path from blogging, through the assignments, to a successful paper. This example utilizes C. Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process (ISP) model as a framework for understanding this community and their information seeking behaviors. Thanks to SJSU student Nicola Cicchetti for providing these assignments!
Blog Posts:
Blog Post #3: Report on the information-seeking behavior and information needs of chosen community
Blog Post #6: Report on the issues your community may face on an international scale
Blog Post #7: Report on your community’s use of emerging technologies
Assignments:
Literature Review Matrix (PDF)
The Transgender Community:
Here is an example from a previous student whose work focused on the transgender community illustrating the path from blogging, through the assignments, to a successful paper. This example utilizes a number of frameworks, including sense-making theory and value of community-based resources, in order to understand this dynamic and diverse community and their information seeking behaviors. Thanks to SJSU student Madeline Alford for providing these assignments!
Blog Posts:
Blog Post #3: Report on the information-seeking behavior and information needs of chosen community
Blog Post #6: Report on the issues your community may face on an international scale
Blog Post #7: Report on your community’s use of emerging technologies
Assignments: