Information Sources and Services

By Prof. M. Masoom Raza | Aligarh Muslim University

Learners enrolled: 74

ABOUT THE COURSE:

This course provides a comprehensive overview of information sources, services, and systems, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to navigate the vast landscape of information resources. Spanning 12 weeks, it covers the classification, evaluation, and effective utilization of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, along with modern digital and institutional information services. The course also delves into specialized tools, user studies, and the role of libraries in information dissemination, fostering a holistic understanding of contemporary information practices.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: UG AND PG

PREREQUISITES: BA/B.SC/B.COM/MA/M.SC/M.COM

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Library Professionals

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Library and Information Sciences
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date :	21 Jul 2025
End Date :	10 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends :	28 Jul 2025
Exam Registration Ends :	15 Aug 2025
Exam Date :	24 Oct 2025 IST
NCrF Level	6.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Concept and Definitions of Information Sources, Primary Information Sources: Definition, Examples, and Use, Secondary Information Sources: Definition, Examples, and Use, Tertiary Information Sources: Definition, Examples, and Use, Concept of Reference Sources

Week 2: Background Sources: Definition, Purpose, and Scope, Evaluation of Two Representative Background Sources, Current Sources: Definition, Purpose, and Scope, Evaluation of Two Representative Current Sources, Bibliographical Sources: Definition, Purpose, and Scope

Week 3: Evaluation of Two Representative Bibliographical Sources, Language Sources: Definition, Purpose, and Scope, Evaluation of Two Representative Language Sources, Biographical Sources: Definition, Purpose, and Scope, Evaluation of Two Representative Biographical Sources

Week 4: Educational Sources: Definition, Purpose, and Scope, Evaluation of Two Representative Educational Sources, Geographical Sources: Definition, Purpose, and Scope, Evaluation of Two Representative Geographical Sources, Reference Services: Concept and Definition

Week 5: Reference Interview: Concept, Purpose, and Stages, Search Techniques: Strategies for Effective Information Retrieval, Documentary Sources: Types and Characteristics, Non-Documentary Sources: Types and Characteristics, Information Sources: Criteria for Evaluation

Week 6: Electronic Information Resources: Subject Gateways, Web Portals and Bulletin Boards, Discussion Forums and Groups, E-Journals and Consortia, Current Awareness Service (CAS)

Week 7: Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI), Inter-Library Loan Services, Document Delivery Services, NISCAIR: Objectives and Services, DESIDOC: Objectives and Services

Week 8: SENDOC: Objectives and Services, ENVIS: Objectives and Services, INFLIBNET: Objectives and Services, DELNET: Objectives and Services, National Knowledge Network (NKN)

Week 9: Biotechnology Information System Network (BTISNET), INIS: Objectives and Services, AGRIS: Objectives and Services, INSPEC: Objectives and Services, MEDLARS: Objectives and Services

Week 10: BIOSIS: Objectives and Services, ERIC: Objectives and Services, Patent Information System (PIS), Biotechnology Information System (BIS), User Studies: Concept and Importance

Week 11: User Education: Methods and Techniques, Subject Gateways: Role in Research, Bulletin Boards: Applications in Information Services, Modern Tools for Reference and Information Services, Role of Libraries in Disseminating Information Services

Week 12: Information Product: Concept, Types, and Characteristics, Information Intermediaries: Role and Functions, Information Users: Categories and Characteristics, Information Needs: Identification and Assessment, Relationship Between Information Products, Intermediaries, and Users

Books and references

Katz, W. A. (1969). Introduction to Reference Work. New York. Mc Graw Hills.
Sharma, Pandey, S.K. (1992). Library & Society. New Delhi: Ess Ess Publication.
Sharma, J. S. & Grover, D.R (1987). Reference Service & Sources of Information. New Delhi: Ess Ess Publication.
Shores, L. (1954). Basic Reference Sources: An Introduction to materials & Methods. Chicago: ALA.
Ranganathan, S.R. (1940). Reference Service, Bangalore: Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science.

Instructor bio

Prof. M. Masoom Raza

Aligarh Muslim University

Prof. M. Masoom Raza is a professor at the DLISc at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. He has completed his M.Sc (Hons), ML&I.Sc, and Ph.D from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Prof. Raza has been engaged in teaching and research for over two decades, and he has earlier served as the Professor and Head, Department of Library and Information Science, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, for about three years, and as the Vice President of ILA for the Eastern Region from 2013 to 2016. He has supervised eight PhD dissertations. He has published two jointly authored and three edited books and more than 70 research papers in journals of national and international repute. He has completed five UGC/ICSSR major research projects and has been a member of various committees and boards of India.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.

The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).

Date and Time of Exams: 25 October 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.

Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.

The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.

Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup. It will have the logos of INI and AMU.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI team

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