لخّصلي

This study aimed to assess the perceptions of infor- mation literacy skills of undergraduate students in the social media environment.The study recommends that academic professors collaborate with academic librarians to enhance the delivery of tailored information literacy programs through assessments or accustomed training sessions that take into consideration metaliteracy skills most needed today.Metalit- eracy skills were assessed through identifying percep- tions and attitudes of the undergraduate students who responded to the questionnaire's four studied dimen- sions: evaluation of information, information ethics, legal issues, and privacy concerns, along with leading demographic and usage profiles.As for gender, the results showed signif- icant statistical differences in favor of female respon- dents toward the level of perceptions in information ethics, but male respondents showed higher levels than females in skills pertaining to legal issues and infor- mation privacy.Regarding the academic discipline of the respon- dents, the results also revealed that those who affiliated with science disciplines have higher levels of percep- tion than their counterparts in humanities and social sciences.Lastly, those who previously completed or attended a program on information literacy showed significantly higher levels of perceptions, except in pri- vacy of information skills, which showed no statistical significance in this regard.Information ethics received higher levels of information literacy among the respondents, prov- ing recognition that information ethics contribute to strengthening the capacity of information societies.To express the reliability of the survey results, infer- ential testing using ANOVA and t-tests of indepen- dent means were conducted to determine significant differences.In terms of the academic level of the respondents, the results showed that senior stu- dents possess significantly higher perceptions than their counterparts in lower academic levels, especially in skills related to legal issues and privacy of informa- tion.It is fundamental today that academic institutions should place greater empha- sis on information literacy programs, and respond to major changes brought by continuous advancement in information and communication technologies.The level of information literacy in legal issues asso- ciated with the use of information was also mod- est overall, but within which the respondents have less recognition of the laws related to cybercrimes.The study was conducted in a context formed by its distinctive cultural and socio-economic characteristics.

This study aimed to assess the perceptions of infor-
mation literacy skills of undergraduate students in the
social media environment. Major results indicated that
the respondents use social media more for general than academic purposes. It is found that cross-mobile plat-
forms, such as WhatsApp, were among the most fre-
quently used applications. Social media is used for aca-
demic purposes, but only to a modest degree. Tools,
such as Wikipedia and video sharing platforms, were
found to be more likely used than any other tools.
To identify why undergraduate students use social
media for academic purposes, completion of course
assessments was the main reason, followed by self-
development in the academic specialty. In terms of
identifying what concerns students entail when using
information in social media, credibility of informa-
tion is the first issue they deem important, followed by
accuracy and currency of information used. Metalit-
eracy skills were assessed through identifying percep-
tions and attitudes of the undergraduate students who
responded to the questionnaire’s four studied dimen-
sions: evaluation of information, information ethics,
legal issues, and privacy concerns, along with leading
demographic and usage profiles.
The results showed that evaluation of information
skills was identified as moderate overall, with more
emphasis given to the creditability and accuracy of
information. Information ethics received higher levels
of information literacy among the respondents, prov-
ing recognition that information ethics contribute to
strengthening the capacity of information societies.
The level of information literacy in legal issues asso-
ciated with the use of information was also mod-
est overall, but within which the respondents have
less recognition of the laws related to cybercrimes.
In terms of privacy of information, the results indi-
cated a strong level of literacy among the respon-
dents, whom recognize vulnerable risks associated with
sharing personal images and data in the social media
environment.
To express the reliability of the survey results, infer-
ential testing using ANOVA and t-tests of indepen-
dent means were conducted to determine significant
differences. As for gender, the results showed signif-
icant statistical differences in favor of female respon-
dents toward the level of perceptions in information
ethics, but male respondents showed higher levels than
females in skills pertaining to legal issues and infor-
mation privacy. In terms of the academic level of
the respondents, the results showed that senior stu-
dents possess significantly higher perceptions than
their counterparts in lower academic levels, especially
in skills related to legal issues and privacy of informa-
tion. Regarding the academic discipline of the respon-
dents, the results also revealed that those who affiliated
with science disciplines have higher levels of percep-
tion than their counterparts in humanities and social
sciences. Lastly, those who previously completed or
attended a program on information literacy showed
significantly higher levels of perceptions, except in pri-
vacy of information skills, which showed no statistical
significance in this regard.
The study was conducted in a context formed by its
distinctive cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
The results have practical implications to similar aca-
demic institutions in Oman, and even the wider con-
text, including Arab countries. It is fundamental today
that academic institutions should place greater empha-
sis on information literacy programs, and respond to
major changes brought by continuous advancement in
information and communication technologies. Access
to and use of information today is thoroughly differ-
ent than it was perhaps 10 years ago. Social media
enabled by portable technology plays a key role in
learning today, as well as in other aspects of daily
activities.
The study recommends that academic professors
collaborate with academic librarians to enhance the
delivery of tailored information literacy programs
through assessments or accustomed training sessions
that take into consideration metaliteracy skills most
needed today. It is also important that training pro-
grams or sessions should involve faculty members
for efficient use of social media tools in learning and
teaching.
The results of the present study emphasize the
importance of developing, implementing, and main-
taining information literacy programs in academic
environments on a regular basis. This will help learners
reach optimal use of information, in addition to stimu-
lating their abilities toward independence and life-long
learning.
Future research is required to investigate each of
the studied dimensions separately, using qualitative
approaches, such as log analysis, interviews, and focus
groups. This will allow researchers and educators
opportunities to better understand student’s behavior,
their patterns of use, and awareness in the social media
environment. In addition, research is also needed in
areas related to understanding the conceptual issues