Information needs and seeking behavior of Muslim clerics in relation to preaching in Nigeria

Type Journal Article - International Journal of Library and Information Science
Title Information needs and seeking behavior of Muslim clerics in relation to preaching in Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 5
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 55-67
URL https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Adam_GAMBO_SALEH/publication/236340950_Information_needs_and_se​eking_behavior_of_Muslim_clerics_in_relation_to_preaching_in_Nigeria/links/02e7e517b9e05a376f000000.​pdf
Abstract
Information Seeking Behavior (ISB) studies is one area in Library and Information Science that has over
the years attracted the attention of information professionals, resulting in several studies being carried
out with a view to understanding the information needs of individuals, why they seek information, how
they seek it and the problems encountered. While an enormous amount of literature has shown that
several professional groups’ information seeking behavior has been studied, an important and
influential group of professionals, the Muslim clerics (Ulama) have been totally neglected. The study
deployed the survey research method using questionnaire to collect data from 284 respondents which
was subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. The study found out that the
Ulama like any other professional group needs information and take various steps to satisfy them.
While preaching, the Ulama consult their personal collections and other libraries to use resources such
as Qur’an, Hadith, and commentaries by other scholars, and consult informal channels of information
such as council of Ulama, colleagues or friends and relatives. The study also found out that the Ulama
deployed different search strategies to identify and locate information when using either the library,
ICT, or informal channels. The study has also established significant relationships between
demographic factors and search strategies adopted. Finally, it can be revealed that the information
seeking pattern of the Ulama can best be described as linear along the features identified by the Leckie
et al. (1996)’s Professional Information Search Strategy Model.

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