IT self‐efficacy and computer competence of LIS students

Interaction through social media: Development and validation of a social network site self-efficacy scale (SNS-SES)

Today, more than ever before, awareness of our ability to interact with others through and use social network sites (SNSs) is of fundamental importance, in light of the fact that we are connected to the Web 24 h a day, 7 days a week. Studies of social media in recent decades have shown that self-efficacy is one of the key variables affecting individual online behavior. The general aim of the studies presented here was to develop and validate a new self-report scale measuring self-efficacy in SNS use (an SNS self-efficacy scale, or SNS-SES). Across two studies, a total of 1295 Italian adolescents and adults (ages 15 to 89; M = 38.21, SD = 15.6) participated. The SNS-SES consists of 24 items assessing four factors of self-efficacy in SNS use: task-oriented/technological, task-oriented/social, interpersonal, and emotional. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed a clear factorial validity of this stable four-factor solution.

Belief in importance of information literacy abilities among undergraduates. Underlying factors and analysis of variance

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the levels of belief in importance of information literacy abilities (BILAs) among an undergraduates’ sample. The aim is, on the one hand, to discover if there is a representative latent structure and, on the other hand, to know the existing differences according to external variables such as academic degree, course, gender and age.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-assessment questionnaire (IL-HUMASS) was applied to a sample of 749 students in English Studies, Translation and Interpreting and Education in Spain. Three types of statistical methods have been used to study the results: descriptive, factorial and analysis of variance.

Findings

Students’ levels of BILAs are acceptable but improvable. A framework of six underlying factors has been uncovered: evaluation-ethics, searching-using, technological processing, communication, dissemination and cognitive processing of the information. Significant differences on degree, course and gender have been found.

Practical implications

This paper is intended for a broad academic sector, including faculty, librarians and students in higher education. The BILAs construct helps to improve the diagnosis of the perception of the BILAs. Its representation through a reduced number of latent factors simplifies results and possible applications. The results show that variations in degree, course and gender are significant and should be taken into account.

Originality/value

Although much has been written about information literacy abilities, we still know little about the importance students place on them. The BILAs construct is intended to improve that knowledge.

Information Literacy Self-efficacy Dimensions of Post Graduate Students: Validating a Persian Version Scale

The two key concepts of information literacy and self-efficacy are of the utmost importance in information searches, especially in new information and media environments such as the web. As a result, the sense of efficacy related to the information literacy skills of users should be regarded as a real concern. The article reports on research regarding Information Literacy Self-efficacy dimensions in a sample of post-graduate students at Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. A survey-descriptive method using a highly validated 28-item scale developed by Kurbanoglu, Akkoyunlu and Umay (