Towards an Online Searchable Bibliographic Database for Ismāʿīlī Studies

• Main Author: Nawazali Alibhai Jiwa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Theological Library Association 2018-04-01
• Series: Theological Librarianship
• Online Access: https://theolib.atla.com/theolib/article/view/478

Research in the field of Ismāʿīlī Studies has increased exponentially during the last decades. However, all of the existing bibliographies in the field are print-based which lack the efficient and effective searchability offered by online bibliographic databases. This paper explores some ideas towards creating an online searchable database dedicated exclusively to Ismāʿīlī Studies. It covers elements of an ideal database such as search features, subject headings, linking, metadata, abstracting, and indexing. Moreover, it provides the rationale for a specialized disciplinary database, as opposed to using multi - or interdisciplinary databases to conduct research in Ismāʿīlī Studies. The database can serve as a model for theological libraries that wish to implement a similar disciplinary database for others areas of research in theological and religious studies.