Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit introduces fundamental concepts in information, and examines their implications for the use of IT-based systems that manage information. The management of information is a major area of concern for any organisation as it seeks to meet its objectives. The unit examines a variety of approaches to the creation, representation, storage, access, retrieval, and use of information, and the practical contribution of information management (IM) as a discipline to the achievement of such tasks. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the consequences for these practices of information-seeking behaviour by users, as well as the application of a range of popular IM tools and techniques commonly used when addressing the information needs of users.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

• understand the fundamental concepts of information and its use;
• understand the relationship between data, information and knowledge;
• understand the impact of organisational and other contexts upon information needs and uses;
• understand the basic IM tools (eg classification and metadata) that have been developed to manage information and meet user needs;
• evaluate information and its sources critically;
• identify particular information needs;
• evaluate technology-based IM tools in terms of meeting user needs;
• use basic IM tools to create, represent, store, access, retrieve and use information.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Steven Wright

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hr studio/tutorial/wk

Prohibitions

FIT1021, FIT2054, IMS1603, IMS2603