How Professionals Find Information on the Internet

Many people think finding information is as easy as going to Google. But in a professional context, the process is much more complex. Information must be accurate, relevant, and accountable. So, how do professionals find it?

Have you ever heard this question before? "Why do we still need libraries when all the information is already on the internet?"

If so, then you share the same view as Jon Bing, a Professor of Information Technology Law at the University of Oslo, Norway.

But if you think about it, access to information isn't just about how many sources there are, but how effectively we use them.

In the professional world, finding information isn't just about random Googling. There are patterns, there are models. One well-known one? The Leckie Model.

How professionals seek information.

Leckie et al., (1996) model of information seeking of professionals

This model was developed by Leckie et al. in 1996 and remains relevant today. Essentially, professionals need information for their work, and their search patterns are determined by:

• Role and job duties → what they do every day.
• Information needs → what they seek.
• Information sources → where do they get it? (books, internet, colleagues, etc.).
• Information awareness → how much they understand the available information.
• Results and feedback → whether the information they obtain is sufficient or insufficient.

Simply put, every professional has a different information-seeking style, depending on their role and needs.

For example, dentists and the internet—do they connect?

A 2005 US study observed 12 dentists and how they searched for information. The results?

• Their roles extend beyond patient dental care to education, management, and even research.
• Their information sources vary: books, journals, colleagues, professional associations.
• The internet? Used, but not a primary source. Only 4 out of 12 doctors regularly use the internet, and even then, they use it for additional information, not as a primary source.

Why don't doctors rely on the internet?

1. Accuracy and credibility → Medical information must be valid; it can't just be taken from the internet.
2. Long-standing practices → textbooks and scientific journals have proven their quality.
3. Medical regulations and standards → many medical decisions can't be based solely on Google searches.

Professionals' determining factors in seeking information.

According to the Leckie Model, there are six main factors that determine information search patterns:

• Demographics → age, education, social status.
• Context → specific or general information needs?
• Frequency → is the information sought often or infrequently?
• Predictability → predictable or impromptu?
• Urgency → how important and urgent is it?
• Complexity → easy to find or requires digging?

In short, not all professionals immediately turn to Google to find information. Some people trust other sources, such as books, colleagues, or professional associations, because they are more credible.

Do all professionals have to use the internet?

• Dentists in 2005 → Still trust textbooks and professional associations more.
• Elementary school teachers in Indonesia (latest study) → The internet is their primary source for finding teaching materials.

The difference? Professional needs and the urgency of the information.

According to Vibert et al. (2007), job duties determine the information sources used. If the profession doesn't rely heavily on technology (for example, elementary school teachers), not using the internet isn't a major problem.

However, for those in engineering, computer science, or as a CTO (Chief Technology Officer), the internet isn't just an option, but a primary necessity. Without it, their work would be much slower and more limited.

Even in the 2020s, the internet isn't always the ultimate solution. In some cases, there are still professions that rely more on conventional information sources.

But, the internet is everything, isn't it?

Yes, but it doesn't automatically become the primary source.

According to Savolainen (2007), the internet is indeed the largest repository of information, but there are still factors such as:

• Quality and accuracy → can be misleading if not selective.
• Accessibility → some specific information is only available in paid journals.
• Relevance → the answer you're looking for isn't necessarily immediately available.

What does it mean? The internet is a tool, not a sole solution. There are other factors, such as source credibility and specific needs, that determine whether the internet is the primary choice or merely a supplement.

Especially now, we're in the 21st century.

There you have it. According to the latest data, elementary school teachers in Indonesia are heavily reliant on the internet for finding teaching materials. Why?

• Fast and easy to access.
• More accurate (if you know how to find them).
• It helps with multitasking with other tasks.

Conversely, in 2005, dentists trusted textbooks and professional associations more than the internet.

So, the internet is a tool, not a sole solution. There are still other factors such as the quality of information, the credibility of the source, and specific needs that determine whether the internet is the main option or just a supplement.

Conclusion.

So how do professionals find information?

• Different professions have different information-seeking patterns.
• The internet is important, but it's not always the primary source.
• Many factors determine how someone searches for information.

As Ludwig Wittgenstein (philosopher of logic) said:

"Problems are solved not by new information, but by organizing what we already know."

In short? It's not about how much information there is, but how we use it effectively.