Lipscomb University is a Christ-centered university and strives to apply Biblical principles to education. The library seeks to apply these principles to research to help create and cultivate God-honoring mindsets and practices when conducting research. This framework for information literacy was created to show Biblical mindsets that promote student's education and help them be equipped for scholarly research. This framework can be used by librarians or faculty to teach research from a Christian perspective. The following are the 8 mindsets we seek to cultivate in students.
| Mindset | Scripture | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Curiosity | Matthew 13:44 | Thinks critically, asks questions, and conducts research with a spirit of exploration. Motivated by the desire to understand one's role as a created being in relation to their Creator. |
| Discernment | Proverbs 1:5 | Goes where the research leads, keeps an open mind when encountering information that may be contrary to one's beliefs while discerning new information through the lens of Scripture. |
| Humility | Philippians 2:3 | Recognize the limits of one's knowledge and abilities, has a modest view of oneself, and is willing to adopt a teachable mindset, acknowledging dependence on God. |
| Stewardship | Matthew 25:23 | Recognize personal accountability and acknowledges that one is entrusted with resources and responsibilities to both the scholarly community and to God. |
| Diligence | Colossians 3:23-24; Philippians 4:8 | Pursues the highest quality or standard, which testifies to God's nature, goodness, and His authority. Motivated by a right posture before God. |
| Uplifting | Hebrews 10:24 | Uplifts and encourages growth in others and pursues constructive interactions. Demonstrates care through the content and tone of their scholarly discourse. |
| Contribution | Matthew 9:36-38; 1 Corinthians 15:58 | Embraces research as a gift of service to the scholarly community and those around them. Sees research as a way to learn how to improve the lives of others. |
| Integrity | Titus 2:7 | Accesses and uses information honestly and analyzes it in a trustworthy manner as a testament to God's standards for upright conduct. |
The following framework was inspired by Cedarville University's "Biblical Framework for Information Literacy" and we are grateful for their help.