We know for a fact that journalists use LinkedIn. Where things become fuzzy is how often they use it, for what purposes and how effective a tool it is for them.

A Newswise study reveals that 70 percent of journalists they surveyed have LinkedIn profiles and 42 percent responded to requests to connect. However, “a majority of respondents indicated that the value of LinkedIn was unclear,” according to the study.

Perhaps that’s because only 30 percent of the survey’s respondents were able to accurate identify and share the address to their personal profile.

Earlier studies indicated that the number of journalists on LinkedIn could be as high as 92 percent, and that they’re using it to connect with sources (no data, however, to suggest with what frequency they use it to connect with sources).

It may be a while before we have solid data to show us exactly how journalists are using LinkedIn. Until then, most evidence is strictly anecdotal.

For instance, I’m a journalist who is on LinkedIn, and I use it roughly once a week to find source information. I used it today to confirm the spelling of a source’s name.

When I was strictly covering sports, I never used the site.

I don’t think my experience is all that unique. Most journalists use it sometimes. Some don’t use it. Some use it a ton.

Will PR people find journalists there? Without a doubt.

Is it the best place to find and connect with journalists? Probably not—until there’s data to suggest otherwise.

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