Information needs and Information seeking behaviour of Namibian pastors

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Orientation of the study

1.3 Statement of the problem

1.4 Objectives of the study

1.5 Significance of the study

1.6 Limitation of the study

1.7 Literature review

1.8 Theoretical framework

1.9 Definition of terms and concepts

1.10 Research design and methodology

1.10.1 Research design

1.10.2 Population

1.10.3 Sample

1.10.4 Data collection methods

1.10.5 Validity and reliability

1.10.6 Procedure

1.10.7 Data analysis

1.11 Research ethics

1.12 Structure of the thesis

1.13 Summary

CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Information needs and seeking behaviour of pastors

2.2.1 Information

2.2.2 Information need

2.2.3 Information seeking

2.2.4 Information behaviour

2.3 Information sources used and how they are used

2.4 Factors affecting pastors’ information seeking behaviour

2.5 Perceptions of pastors on their preparedness to meet their job demands

2.6 Pastoral information service

2.7 Information behaviour models

2.7.1 Ellis’ (1989) behavioural model of information seeking strategies

2.7.2 Kuhlthau’s (1991) model of the stages of information-seeking

2.7.3 Wilson’s (1996) model of information seeking behaviour

2.7.4 Dervin’s (2000) sense-making theory

2.8 Reasons for using Wilson’s model and Dervin’s theory

2.9 Summary

CHAPTER 3 : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research design

3.3 Survey research

3.3.1 Strengths of survey research

3.3.2 Weaknesses of survey research

3.4 Interviews

3.5 Research population

3.5.1 Sampling procedures

3.5.2 Stratified sampling

3.5.3 Purposive sampling

3.6 Reliability and validity

3.7 Data collection instruments

3.7.1 Questionnaire as a data collection tool

3.7.2 Interview guide as a way of collecting data

3.8 The pilot study

3.9 Data collection process

3.9.1 Administering the questionnaires

3.9.2 Existing church documents and interviews with key informants

3.10 Data analysis

3.10.1 Analysis of quantitative data

3.10.2 Analysis of qualitative data

3.11 Ethical considerations

3.12 Evaluation of the research methodology

3.13 Summary

CHAPTER 4 : DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Information needs and information seeking behaviour of pastors

4.2.1 Information needs of pastors

4.2.2 Information seeking behaviour of pastors

4.2.3 Information sources used and how they are used

4.2.4 Factors affecting pastors’ information seeking behaviour

4.2.5 Accessibility of pastoral information

4.2.6 Perceptions of pastors about their preparedness in carrying out their pastoral duties

4.2.7 Pastors’ views on how to improve pastoral information services

4.3 Summary

CHAPTER 5 : DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Information needs and information seeking behaviour of pastors

5.2.1 Information needs

5.2.2 Information seeking behaviour of pastors

5.3 Information sources used and how they are used

5.4 Factors affecting pastors’ information seeking behaviour

5.5 Perceptions of pastors on their preparedness for carrying out their duties

5.6 Pastors’ views on how to improve pastoral information services

5.7 Summary

CHAPTER 6 : FRAMEWORK FOR SETTING UP PASTORAL INFORMATION SERVICES

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Basis for the proposed framework

6.3 Analysis of context

6.4 Analysis of prevailing circumstances

6.5 Analysis of information seeking behaviour

6.6 Analysis of information use

6.7 Summary

CHAPTER 7 : SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Summary of the findings

7.2.1 Information needs

7.2.2 Information seeking behaviour of pastors

7.2.3 Information sources used by pastors

7.2.4 Factors affecting pastors’ information seeking behaviour

7.2.5 Level of information accessibility

7.2.6 Perceptions of pastors about their preparedness in carrying out their duties

7.2.7 Suggestions by pastors on improving information service provision

7.2.8 Framework for setting up pastoral information services

7.3 Conclusions

7.3.1 Information needs and information seeking behaviour of pastors

7.3.2 Information sources used and how they are used

7.3.3 Perceptions of pastors on their preparedness for their duties

7.3.4 Factors affecting pastors’ information seeking behaviour

7.3.5 Pastors’ suggestions for improving pastoral information services

7.4 Recommendations

7.4.1 Information needs and information seeking behaviour of pastors

7.4.2 Barriers to information seeking

7.4.3 Perceptions of pastors

7.4.4 Framework for setting up pastoral information services

7.4.5 Recommendations for further research

7.5 Conclusion

Objectives and Research Themes

The primary objective of this research is to establish the information needs and the information seeking behaviour of pastors in Namibia. By identifying how pastors acquire necessary knowledge to perform their diverse ministry roles, the study aims to propose a framework for more effective pastoral information services, ultimately bridging the identified information gaps.

• Information needs assessment for various pastoral duties
• Information seeking patterns and preferred sources
• Barriers to effective information access (e.g., language, cost, digital literacy)
• Pastors' self-perception of preparedness for ministry
• Framework development for systematic pastoral information provision

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides an overview of the study, defining the role of pastors, the problem statement regarding information access, and the research objectives.

CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter reviews theoretical models of information behaviour, such as Wilson's and Dervin’s, to establish a framework for understanding how pastors seek and use information.

CHAPTER 3 : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: This chapter outlines the mixed-method research approach, covering survey instruments, sampling procedures for 200 pastors, and qualitative interview techniques.

CHAPTER 4 : DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION: This chapter presents the quantitative and qualitative findings regarding pastors' information needs, their sources of information, and the challenges they face in their ministries.

CHAPTER 5 : DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS: This chapter interprets the collected data, comparing pastoral information behaviours to existing literature and evaluating the impact of work environment and roles.

CHAPTER 6 : FRAMEWORK FOR SETTING UP PASTORAL INFORMATION SERVICES: This chapter proposes a structured framework designed to improve the coordination and provision of information services to pastors in Namibia.

CHAPTER 7 : SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This final chapter synthesizes the research findings, offers conclusions on the study objectives, and provides recommendations for further research and practical implementation.

Keywords

Information needs, information seeking behaviour, pastors, Namibia, pastoral information services, Wilson's model, Dervin's sense-making theory, pastoral duties, information barriers, theological libraries, contextualisation, information literacy, sermon preparation, religious leadership, digital access

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this thesis?

The thesis investigates the information needs and the information seeking behaviour of pastors in Namibia to understand how they acquire information to fulfill their professional and spiritual roles.

What are the central thematic areas?

The research focuses on the types of information required for ministry, the sources pastors turn to, barriers preventing information access, and how to improve future information services.

What is the primary objective of this work?

The main objective is to establish the current information seeking practices of Namibian pastors and to propose a sustainable framework for pastoral information services.

What research methodology was employed?

The researcher used a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative data from questionnaires sent to 200 pastors with qualitative insights gathered through semi-structured interviews with 16 key informants.

What does the main body of the work cover?

The main body examines existing literature, describes the research methodology, presents a detailed analysis of findings regarding information sources and needs, discusses these findings, and outlines a framework for future service implementation.

Which keywords characterize this study?

Key terms include information needs, information seeking behaviour, pastors, Namibia, pastoral information services, and information literacy.

What role does technology play for these pastors?

The findings indicate that while the Internet is recognized as a potential resource, most pastors face significant barriers such as lack of computer skills, high costs, and a lack of locally relevant content.

What are the primary conclusions regarding accessibility?

The study concludes that there is a significant information gap; while information exists, it is often not accessible or relevant due to language barriers, lack of financial resources, and the perceived "academic" nature of existing library collections compared to pastoral needs.