Assessing Digital Information Literacy Skills Among Research Scholars: A Case Study of the University of Allahabad

Abstract

This investigation evaluates the Digital Information Literacy (DIL) competencies exhibited by research scholars within the Science Faculty at the University of Allahabad, concentrating on their adeptness in accessing, assessing and employing digital resources. Employing a descriptive survey research methodology, data were gathered via structured questionnaires disseminated to 350 research scholars, resulting in 270 valid responses and a response rate of 77%. The subsequent analysis was executed utilising MS Excel and SPSS software. The findings indicate that although 97.8% of scholars reported proficiency in locating academic journals and 88.1% exhibited familiarity with advanced search methodologies, various challenges remain. A significant 40.16% of respondents indicated a deficiency in technical knowledge, 33.01% encountered restricted access to requisite software and tools and 14.16% acknowledged issues related to connectivity. Furthermore, while scholars demonstrated a high level of competence in word processing (84.8%) and spreadsheet applications (71.9%), their proficiency in utilising data analysis tools (22.6%) and reference management software (22.6%) was notably lower. Importantly, 98.9% of participants expressed a desire to partake in digital literacy workshops, underscoring the necessity for specialised training programmes. The study accentuates the critical role of enhancing digital literacy to elevate research productivity. It advocates for the integration of structured training initiatives within academic curricula and the provision of institutional support to address existing competency deficiencies, thereby cultivating a digitally proficient research community.

Keywords: Digital Literacy, Research Scholars, Allahabad University, Assessment, Research Tools

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