MBIB4600 Interactive Information Retrieval Course description

This course on interactive information retrieval (IIR) focuses on users';use and interaction with information systems and the users';satisfaction with retrieved information. The course deals with central concepts and models as well as theoretical and methodical aspects of context-based evaluation of IIR. Emphasis is placed on the relations between users, information needs, information situations, relevance of retrieved information, and information seeking behaviour. In particular, the course focuses on methods and study designs (methodology) for how to study users';system interaction, their satisfaction with retrieved information, and information seeking behaviour.

In summary, the course covers:

• Conceptions of information need and relevance, as well as models of information searching, information seeking, and information behaviour.
• (I)IR evaluation approaches.
• Data collection methods and study design for (I)IR evaluation and user studies.

The teaching language is in English when there are foreign exchange students present.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

1. An article (approx. 20,000 characters without spaces)
2. A longer debate post or newspaper article (approx. 4,000 characters without spaces)
3. A literature review (approx. 3,000 characters without spaces).
4. One of the course assessments (the student chooses which one) is to be presented and discussed at the last meeting. Attendance is mandatory at this gathering. 

All written coursework must be written in Arial / Calibri 12 point line spacing 1.5. In addition, all the work must have a short note outlining the intended publication channel and target group.

All submitted courseworks receive feedback.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version twice by the given deadline.

None.

The student should have the following learning outcomes upon successful completion of the course:

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge and insight about different IR evaluation approaches
• advanced knowledge about central concepts, models, and methods for IIR evaluation and user studies
• advanced knowledge about how to conduct IIR evaluation and user studies

Skills

The student can

• reflect on central models and methods for IIR evaluation and user studies
• assess relevant methods, and combinations of these, for IIR evaluation and user studies
• identify and compare key evaluation concepts for IIR evaluation and user studies
• use advanced knowledge on central concepts, models, and methods to conduct IIR evaluation and user studies

General competence

The student is able to

• disseminate and give an account of different IR evaluation approaches
• analytically assess relevant methods, and combinations of these, for IIR evaluation and user studies
• independently design, plan, and conduct different types of IIR evaluations and user studies

Lectures, dialog-based teaching in the form of class discussions based on "week assignments", group work, and student presentations.

The student conducts an empirical study based on the course (in the form of a pilot study).

The empirical study can be made individually, or in groups of 2-3 students.

The sociology of literature is mainly concerned with two aspects of literature and society: One the one hand, the historical, material and cultural conditions of literature, and the significance of these conditions for how literature is produced, disseminated, read and evaluated. On the other hand, sociology of literature also explores how social structures appear in literature. Important topics in the course are dynamics in the literary public sphere and in reading habits, changes in the book market, quality assessment and canon formation, as well as literature and library policy. The course also discusses theories, models and methods used in literary sociological analyzes and research.

The language of the course is Norwegian.

None.

Term paper: All written aids are allowed as long as the source reference rules are followed.

Oral examination:;Texts from syllabus, course notes, and presentation notes are permitted at the oral exam.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence

Knowledge

The student

• has a broad historical understanding of the sociology of literature 
• insight in the theories and methods used to research the sociology of literature
• knowledge of the main constituents of the literary public sphere, and of Norwegian cultural and library politics
• knowledge of different institutions and reader groups' perspectives on the assessment of literary quality

Skills

The student

• can assume an analytical perspective on the rapidly changing book- and media market
• can conduct qualitative and quantitative studies on topics concerning sociology of literature  
• can write literary critique
• can assess the quality of fictional and non-fictional texts, as well as their relevance to different groups of readers

General competence

Candidates are able to

• write articles and reviews
• assume an analytical perspective on quality discussions

An internal;and external examiner make the assessment of all exams.

Pia Borlund