INFORMATION SEARCH PATTERNS OF INFORMATION SCIENCE STUDENTS FROM TIKTOK AND TWITTER TO THEORY WITH AN ELLIS LENS

Abstract

Advances in digital technology have changed the information-seeking behaviour of university students, especially Generation Z. Social media platforms such as TikTok and Twitter are now emerging as the main source of information, replacing the role of conventional media. This research aims to analyse the information seeking patterns of UPN Veteran Jakarta Information Science Study Program students through these two platforms using David Ellis' information seeking model as an analytical framework. This research uses a narrative qualitative approach with data collection through interviews and open-ended questionnaires distributed to students who actively use TikTok or Twitter as a source of information. The findings show that students follow almost all stages in Ellis' model - from the starting stage, which is often triggered by platform algorithms, followed by browsing and chaining, to the verification stage through mainstream media such as Kompas or Tempo. Although the use of social media tends to favour visual and instant content, students show awareness in filtering and verifying the information they consume. This research emphasises the importance of strengthening information literacy in the digital era so that students are able to optimise social media critically and reflectively as a means of learning and searching for information.