Digital skills and confidence in searching online information of library users in a theological seminary: A basis for creating a user competency index and library information literacy programs

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the respondents’ level of digital skills and level of confidence in searching online information. The results of this study were basis of creating a user competency index of library users in a theological seminary and library information literacy programs. This study used a descriptive-relational study which used a one-shot survey design. Results revealed that respondents were moderately skilled in their digital skills and moderately confident in searching online information. Categorically, the respondents were highly skilled in both information and communication categories but were moderately skilled in content-creation category. Additionally, respondents younger than 30 years old were more skilled in content-creation. Under information category, the respondents seem to be more skilled in their strategies in looking for online information but when it comes to content evaluation of online information found, they have hesitations in their skills while in communication category while in communication category, the respondents seem to be more skilled in utilizing social media but they were not that skilled with regards to credibility and security of information. Respondents were more skilled in the basic use of digital technologies while they were not that skilled in utilizing them in terms of complex operations and strategies in making content. Moreover, it was evident that the respondents’ level of digital skills significantly affects their level of confidence in searching online information. Filipino respondents were found to be more digitally skilled and more confident in searching for online information than foreign respondents.