Information Interchange Theory: A Test of Construct in Information Sources Use for Resolving Inheritance Conflict in Daura Emirate Council, Nigeria

The study investigated how traditional rulers access and use information sources to resolve inheritance conflicts in Daura Emirate of Katsina State, Nigeria. The study also tests the constructs of information interchange theory (providing, holding, withholding, accessing and use of information sources). The study employed qualitative method using case study approach, from social constructionism perspective. The population of the study comprised of all the traditional rulers appointed by Daura Emirate Council, with a sample size of fifteen (15) participants selected using non- ■ probability sampling techniques (purposive sampling). The study further used analytical inductive process to identify 108 narratives explaining how traditional rulers in Daura Emirate Council access and use information sources to resolve inheritance conflict The narratives were organized in six (6) re-occurring topics and further collapsed into two (2) emergent categories to explain, traditional rulers experiences about inheritance, and how they source and access information for inheritance conflict resolutions. Findings . indicated that traditional rulers in Daura Emirate Council believe that they Source information to aid their sharing of inheritance from (1) textual references and (2) nontextual references; Finding interpreted using information interchange theory suggested that for the traditional rulers to successfully resolve inheritance conflicts there must be effective exchange and communication of information between information providers (parties in conflicts, witnesses and other people) and information users (traditional rulers) in terms of providing, holding, withhold, accessing and use of information. The study recommended that traditional rulers should be more aware of information related to inheritance as stipulated in the Holy Qur'an and Hadith. This can be done through workshop, symposium and seminar organized by the Emirate council.