Examining the Digital Competence of Information Science Experts in the Faculties of University of Tehran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Information Science and Knowledge Management, Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Information Sciences and Knowledge Management,, Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jlib.2025.389051.1770

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate the digital competence of information science experts in the faculties of the University of Tehran.
Method: This study employed a descriptive-survey research method. The research population consisted of information science experts working in the faculties of the University of Tehran in the year 1403 (2024), totaling 120 individuals. Using stratified proportional random sampling and Cochran's formula, 92 questionnaires were distributed among the experts, of which 72 were returned. The data collection tool was a digital competence questionnaire adapted from the standard instrument developed by Betín de la Hoz et al. (2022). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25.
Results: The findings of this research indicate that the digital competence of information science experts in the faculties of the University of Tehran is above average (3.5). Among the various components, the experts demonstrated the highest level of skill in maintaining the health of equipment and the environment, with an average score of 4. Conversely, they showed the lowest level of skill in the content creation component, with an average score of 2. Another key finding revealed a significant difference in digital competence among information science experts with different educational levels.
Conclusions: The results of this research indicate that information science experts are relatively weak in the content production component compared to other aspects of digital competence. Therefore, greater emphasis should be placed on developing this component to enhance their overall digital competence. Additionally, the study found that digital competence tends to increase with higher levels of education among information science experts. This suggests that encouraging further academic advancement may contribute to the improvement of their digital competence.

Keywords

References

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Academic Librarianship and Information Research
Volume 59, Issue 1
March 2025
Pages 1-18

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