Assessing Cultural Barriers and Information Seeking Behavior of the Santal: A Quantitative Study from Mayurbhanj District of Odisha

The study aims to understand the information-seeking behavior and cultural barriers of the Santal Community living in the Mayurbhanj District of Odisha. The Santals, one of the biggest tribal communities in India, struggle to get important information because of obstacles in their language, education, and culture. The study employed a descriptive and exploratory research design. The study utilized the regression test to determine how the barrier affects information access. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and MS Excel. It was discovered that cultural factors like language and cultural beliefs extensively affect the information-seeking behaviour of the community. The study shows the intersection of culture and information behaviour and provides insights for policymakers and organizations working to improve information accessibility to marginalized communities. The findings of the study can be used to inform strategies for bridging the gap between formal information systems and the cultural realities of Santals and fostering communication practices and enhanced access to information.