Information needs and information seeking behavior of Namibian pastors
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Date
2013
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Abstract
This study investigated the information needs and seeking behaviour of pastors in Namibia. The purpose of the study was to establish the information required by pastors to carry out their work, how they seek information and the problems they encounter in doing so. A mixed-method approach research was used to meet the objectives of the study. A stratified quota sample of 200 pastors was used based on Walpole’s formula for proportions. One hundred and thirty-eight (69%) participants responded to the questionnaire, while 16 pastors from different denominations in Windhoek, purposively selected as key informants, were interviewed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) basic level descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data from the questionnaires, while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from the interviews. The findings of this research are that pastors need information for counselling, community development, administration, evangelism, preaching, teaching, public relations and leading a service. When pastors do not find information from formal sources (Bible concordances, Bible commentaries, Bible translations, etc.) in their personal libraries, they turn to informal sources of information (Holy Spirit and other experienced pastors). The respondents revealed that their information seeking behaviour is affected by the fact that existing information is either in languages they do not understand or is not relevant to their contexts. They also pointed out that they lack skills to search the Internet, and the majority have no money to buy computers or subscribe to the Internet. Many organisations are involved in the provision of pastoral information services but they lack coordination to serve the pastors effectively. A framework for setting up pastoral information services has been proposed. The researcher recommends that the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN), the Pastors’ Book Set (PBS) programme, theological colleges, and local churches work together to systematically provide pastors with the necessary resources. They should periodically assess the information needs and information seeking behaviour of pastors. They need to jointly run workshops to make pastors aware of available sources of information, to encourage the sharing of information among pastors, and to equip pastors with computer and Internet skills. There is also need to repackage information into local languages and in formats that pastors can access easily.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Information.
Keywords
Information needs, Information seeking behaviour, Namibian pastors