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Dissertation Information for Thomas Michael Tanner

NAME:
- Thomas Michael Tanner

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (USA) (1992)

ADVISORS:
- J. Brett Sutton

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Linda C. Smith
- Kathyn Luther Henderson
- Johanna R. Bradley

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: The pastor as information professional: An exploratory study of how the ministers of one midwestern community gather and disseminate information

Abstract: This study describes how and why pastors use information in terms of three research questions: to what extent do pastors function as information professionals, why and how do pastors gather information, and in what ways do pastors disseminate information? To answer these questions the researcher used naturalistic methods, primarily personal interviews and case studies, among a group of 62 full-time ministers serving 58 churches--91% of the clergy in the community under study.

The pastor as information professional was addressed from three perspectives: the pastor's professional image, authority, and knowledge. Five images conceptualize how these pastors provided information professionally: generalist, expert, equipper, wounded healer, and interpreter. Pastoral authority was based on education, the institution, the person, and the divine. The pastor's professional knowledge was factual, relational, and limited. Like traditional information professionals, pastors are also professionals who provide information to others. Unlike other information professionals, however, pastors are not neutral in their provision of information, rely more on personal and divine authority in dispensing information, and utilize a relational knowledge that emphasizes less the source of the information than it does the person with the need.

In analyzing the pastor as information gatherer, it was found that pastors' information needs--both their own and others'--were either specific utilitarian needs or were broadly-based current awareness needs. Pastors sought information through both formal channels (the Bible, other books, magazines, audiovisuals, computer databases, and libraries) and informal channels (professional conferences, ministerial associations, and personal networks). Informal channels predominated, perhaps in light of the pastor's preference for "people over paper," though personal libraries were also highly rated.

As for the pastor as information disseminator, two major roles were found: the pastor as counselor and the pastor as preacher. As a counselor, the pastor dealt with a wide range of information needs and used various strategies, including referral, to meet those needs. As a preacher, the pastor relied heavily upon Scripture and personal experiences for information. It was also found that the media used--print, electronic, or oral--exercised some influence on the information dissemination process, with oral media being the mode most preferred by the pastors in this study.

MPACT Scores for Thomas Michael Tanner

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:17:26

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Students under Thomas Michael Tanner

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None