In this paper we present results from an investigation of religious information searching based on analyzing log files from a large general‐purpose search engine. From approximately 15 million queries, we identified 124,422 that were part of 60,759 user sessions. We present a method for categorizing queries based on related terms and show differences in search patterns between religious searches and web searching more generally. We also investigate the search patterns found in queries related to 5 religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism. Different search patterns are found to emerge. Results from this study complement existing studies of religious information searching and provide a level of detailed analysis not reported to date. We show, for example, that sessions involving religion‐related queries tend to last longer, that the lengths of religion‐related queries are greater, and that the number of unique URLs clicked is higher when compared to all queries. The results of the study can serve to provide information on what this large population of users is actually searching for.

This research studies the user's assessment on the information credibility of Islamic and Quranic information retrieved from the Web. Thirty one interviews were given to various groups of online users regarding their assessment process when retrieving Islamic, particularly those of Quranic-related, information on the Web. Interview data were transcribed and then analysed inductively to identify emergent themes using inductive content analysis. The data analysis focused on extracting common themes, patterns and concepts from the transcripts which were coded by categories that emerged as the process continued. The participants interviewed discussed the assessment process which includes verification and cross-checking with other resources, online and offline. The findings provide important insights on user's assessment process when retrieving for Islamic and Quranic information on the Web. It can serve to give Web designers and content providers on what the users are actually concerned with to better adjust their services according to the needs of end users.

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