Abstract
This research article studies the information seeking search strategies used by theological faculty members in Tamil Nadu. It is based on a structured questionnaire sent to 120 select faculty members, of which 101 questionnaires were returned, achieving a response rate of 84%. Major findings of this study contribute to understanding the awareness and use of search options among respondents. Basic and keyword search options are commonly used by respondents in online sources while preferences for references from books and journals are more popular among faculty members to locate bibliographic information in print sources. This study further noted that faculty members are generally seeking information for preparing class lectures and preaching sermons and respondents indicated that Google searching is highly used by them for locating online information. The respondents expressed that borrowing books and using reference books and journals are the most compelling reasons for visiting libraries. Reading table of contents and reading specific articles are common strategies used by faculty members while looking for information in print resources. The non-availability of full-text articles, lack of scholarly national publications and retrieving irrelevant articles are problems faculty members commonly face while searching online resources. The findings of this study have impact on library instruction, and for improving library services and collections in theological institutions in Tamil Nadu.
Recommended Citation
Sellan, Yesan and Associate Professor and Head, Dr. S. Ally Sornam,
(2018)
"Information Search Strategies Among Theological Faculty Members in Tamil Nadu,"
The Christian Librarian: Vol. 61:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/2572-7478.1903
Included in
Christianity Commons, Library and Information Science Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, South and Southeast Asian Languages and Societies Commons