Advisers

John Pros B. Valencia, RL, MLIS

Discipline

Social sciences

Abstract

Digital literacy is a vital competency in Library and Information Science, where students must effectively access, evaluate, and utilize digital information for academic research. Grounded in the Digital Literacy Global Framework and CHED Memorandum Order No. 24, s. 2015, this study investigated the relationship between digital literacy and research skills among first-year BLIS students at Bestlink College of the Philippines. Digital literacy covered information and data literacy, communication, content creation, safety, and problem solving, while research skills included cognitive, attitudinal, technological, and practical dimensions. A quantitative correlational design was employed. The respondents consisted of fifty-four (54) first-year BLIS students selected through total population sampling during Academic Year 2025–2026. Data were gathered using a validated four-point Likert-scale questionnaire. Statistical tools included frequency, percentage, weighted mean, Shapiro–Wilk normality test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the strength and significance of relationships between variables. Findings showed moderate to high levels of digital literacy and research skills among respondents. Strong performance was observed in communication, collaboration, and technological use, while minor gaps appeared in digital content creation and information verification. Pearson’s analysis revealed a strong, statistically significant positive relationship between digital literacy and research skills (r = .71, p <.001). Digital literacy was strongly and positively related to research skills in this sample. The correlational result does not establish that digital literacy caused improvements in cognitive processing, reasoning, research productivity, or academic performance. Structured training in digital tools, source evaluation, content creation, and sustained application may nevertheless address the identified skill gaps.

Keywords

digital literacy, research skills