Pola Komunikasi Interpersonal Dalam Pencarian Maklumat: Kajian Kes Masyarakat Orang Ulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Interpersonal Communication Patterns in Information Seeking: Case Study of Community Orang Ulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

Interpersonal communication is a continuous information transactions process, involving communicators from the same or different environment and establishes contacts through the exchange of messages. Communication patterns is a form or relationship patterns of two or more in the process of sending and receiving information through appropriate methods so that the meaning could be understood. Interpersonal communication is one of the reliable and authentic channels for rural communities to find information in order to improve the quality of life. However, the level of information presented through communication channels to the rural population is less effective due to the education constraints. The objective of this study was to identify the patterns of interpersonal communication in information seeking among the Orang Ulu to improve their quality of life. The study involved seven categories of communicators in interpersonal communication such as agriculture officer, middlemen, sellers of agricultural products, advanced farmers, friends, relatives and neighbours. This study was conducted in Asap Koyan Resettlement areas, Belaga district, Sarawak. A random sampling was carried out among the population of 4,826 and a total of 356 respondents participated in this study. Data for this study was collected using a questionnaire form and face to face interview. The results have shown that the key information searched in the process of interpersonal communication is related to cultural and social activities, agriculture, market prices, education, training and others. The finding also has shown that the active involvement of individuals in information seeking would enhance their quality of life. Based on the results, the respondent often met the groups of communicators who were their relatives (33.4%), neighbours (32.5%) and friends (33.1%), respectively.