Language Proficiency, Information Behavior, and Reliance on Official Information among BIPA Learners
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22437/ijolte.v10i1.56977Keywords:
Information behavior, Language proficiency, Electronic resources use, BIPA, Official information sourcesAbstract
This study explored the relationship between Indonesian language proficiency and information behavior patterns, specifically reliance on official information sources, among BIPA learners in Indonesia. Using an explanatory quantitative design, data were collected through an online survey from 92 respondents (prior and currently enrolled in BIPA programs from multiple universities in Indonesia). The instrument captured language proficiency, patterns of electronic resources use, perceived accessibility, and reliance on official information channels. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability testing, correlation analysis, and multiple regression using IBM SPSS Statistics 31. The findings indicate that while language proficiency is positively associated in reliance, it does not significantly predict reliance when controlling for passive accessibility. Instead, passive accessibility emerges as the strongest predictor. The research findings show that BIPA learners interact with the digital information environment, relying moderately on official information channels. This study emphasizes the importance of usability and clarity in shaping information behavior in multilingual digital settings. This study contributes to information behavior research by providing empirical insights into how non-native speakers engage with official information in multilingual digital environments. This study provides practical tools and insights for policymakers, educators, and information providers to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of government information systems for international users in Indonesia.
Downloads
References
Case, D. Owen., & Given, L. M., (2016). Looking for information: a survey of research on information seeking, needs, and behavior. Emerald.
Chang, S., & Gomes, C. (2017). Digital Journeys: A Perspective on Understanding the Digital Experiences of International Students. Journal of International Students, 7(2), 347–466. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v7i2.385
Chang, S., Gomes, C., Platt, M., Trumpour, S., McKay, D., & Alzougool, B. (2022). Mapping the contours of digital journeys: a study of international students’ social networks in Australian higher education. Higher Education Research & Development, 41(6), 1821–1837. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.1962812
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. David. (2018). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Etikan, I. (2016). Comparison of Convenience Sampling and Purposive Sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
Field, Andy. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. SAGE Publications.
Fletcher, R., & Nielsen, R. K. (2018). Are people incidentally exposed to news on social media? A comparative analysis. New Media & Society, 20(7), 2450–2468. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444817724170
Gao, G., Zheng, J., Choe, E. K., & Yamashita, N. (2022). Taking a Language Detour: How International Migrants Speaking a Minority Language Seek COVID-Related Information in Their Host Countries. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 6(CSCW2), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1145/3555600
Harvey, M., & Brazier, D. (2022). E-government information search by English-as-a Second Language speakers: The effects of language proficiency and document reading level. Information Processing and Management, 59(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ipm.2022.102985
Hertzum, M. (2022). Citizens’ information behavior in relation to electronic-government services: a systematic review. In Journal of Documentation (Vol. 78, Number 6, pp. 1437–1456). Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-10-2021-0212
Huvila, I. (2020, December 15). Information-making-related information needs and the credibility of information. Proceedings of ISIC: The Information Behaviour Conference Pretoria, South Africa, 28th September to 1st October, 2020. https://doi.org/10.47989/irisic2002
Huvila, I., & Gorichanaz, T. (2025). Trends in information behavior research, 2016–2022: An Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (ARIST) paper. In Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology (Vol. 76, Number 1, pp. 216–237). John Wiley and Sons Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24943
Juwita, M. R., Anggraini, N. R., Ulum, M. S., Prananta, M. D., Hidayat, M. F., & Purnama, N. A. (2025). Hoaxes in the Digital Era: An Analysis of Social Media Users. Jurnal Lemhannas RI, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.55960/jlri.v12i4.944
Kumar Agarwal, N. (2023). La investigación del comportamiento de la información en el siglo XXI: el viaje hasta ahora. Informatio, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.35643/Info.28.1.5
Lloyd, A. (2017). Researching fractured (information) landscapes. Journal of Documentation, 73(1), 35–47. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-03-2016-0032
Pasi, G., & Viviani, M. (2020). Information Credibility in the Social Web: Contexts, Approaches, and Open Issues. http://arxiv.org/abs/2001.09473
Savolainen, R. (2007). Information Behavior and Information Practice: Reviewing the “Umbrella Concepts” of Information‐Seeking Studies. The Library Quarterly, 77(2), 109–132. https://doi.org/10.1086/517840
Savolainen, R. (2023). Everyday life as an evolving context of information behavior. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 75(5), 940–960. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-03-2022-0116
Simon Kemp. (2024, February 21). Digital 2024: Indonesia. Datareportal.
Sin, S.-C. J., & Kim, K.-S. (2018). How Are We the Same or Different: Information Needs and Barriers of Domestic and International Students. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 44(6), 712–723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2018.10.005
Strömbäck, J., Tsfati, Y., Boomgaarden, H., Damstra, A., Lindgren, E., Vliegenthart, R., & Lindholm, T. (2020). News media trust and its impact on media use: toward a framework for future research. Annals of the International Communication Association, 44(2), 139–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.2020.1755338
Sundin, O., & Carlsson, H. (2016). Outsourcing trust to the information infrastructure in schools. Journal of Documentation, 72(6), 990–1007. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2015-0148
Tabachnick, B. G., Fidell, L. S., & Ullman, J. B., (2019). Using multivariate statistics. Pearson.
Tokovska, M., Ferreira, V. N., Vallušova, A., & Seberíni, A. (2023). E-Government—The Inclusive Way for the Future of Digital Citizenship. Societies, 13(6), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13060141
van Deursen, A. J., & van Dijk, J. A. (2014). The digital divide shifts to differences in usage. New Media & Society, 16(3), 507–526. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444813487959
Wilson, T. D. (1999). Models in information behaviour research. Journal of Documentation, 55(3), 249–270. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000007145
Zhang, M., Xu, P., & Ye, Y. (2022). Trust in social media brands and perceived media values: A survey study in China. Computers in Human Behavior, 127, 107024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107024
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Language Teaching and Education
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The Authors submitting a manuscript do so on the understanding that if accepted for publication, copyright of the article shall be assigned to International Journal of Language Teaching and Education (IJoLTe) and Magister Program of English Education Department, Universitas Jambi as publisher of the journal. Copyright encompasses rights to reproduce and deliver the article in all form and media, including reprints, photographs, microfilms, and any other similar reproductions, as well as translations.
IJoLTe keep the rights to articles that have been published. And, the authors are permitted to disseminate published article by sharing the link of IJoLTe' website. Authors are allowed to use their works for any purposes deemed necessary without written permission from IJoLTe with an acknowledgement of initial publication in this journal.
IJoLTe and Magister Program of English Education Department, Universitas Jambi, and the Editors make every effort to ensure that no wrong or misleading data, opinions or statements be published in the journal. In any way, the contents of the articles and advertisements published in IJoLTe are the sole and responsibility of their respective authors and advertisers.
If the article was jointly prepared by more than one author, any authors who submitting the manuscript warrants that he/she has been authorized by all co-authors to be agreed on this copyright and license notice (agreement) on their behalf, and agrees to inform his/her co-authors of the terms of this policy. IJoLTe will not be held liable for anything that may arise due to the author(s) internal dispute. IJoLTe will only communicate with the corresponding author.
By submitting the article/manuscript to this journal, the authors agree with this policy and consciously agree that IJoLTe does not provide royalties or other fees to the authors for their published articles. By agreeing this policy, IJoLTe ensures that published articles are publicly accessible and will be free of charge for the readers. No specific document sign-off is required.
Users of this website will be licensed to use materials from this website following the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Please use the materials accordingly
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
