Examining Digital Information Literacy Skills of Faculty Members in the Public Sector Universities in Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

The study analyzes the level of digital information literacy skills (DILS) of university teachers of Peshawar and its relationship with their certain personal and academic variables. Using survey method of research, a research instrument based on similar studies was administered to the university teachers working in the public sector universities of Peshawar for collecting the data. Total population of this study was comprised of 1678 faculty members in all six public sector universities situated in Peshawar, Pakistan. The research instrument was sent to a sample of 500 faculty members with a representation of 30% from each university. The researchers received back 340 usable questionnaires with 68% response rate. Results indicated that faculty members were comfortable with 13 DILS. They showed least comfort in the use of digital journals, digital books, listserv and discussion groups. The study found that participants were well acquainted in computer usage; however, they were not well versed in searching literature of their choice. Moreover, the study observed significant differences in faculty members’ specialty, educational qualification (degree), their proficiency in English, and the accessibility to computers or laptops at their homes. Similarly, significant difference was also found keeping in view respondents’ sex and societal background. The study concluded that university teachers, in general, lack DILS. The available literature indicates that only a few studies on such kind of topics have been conducted in Pakistan and elsewhere. However, no study till date has examined DILS of teachers of public sector universities in Peshawar, Pakistan.  Being a pioneering study, It will help in promoting and organizing digital information literacy programs for faculty members and improve their DILS.