The two key concepts of information literacy and self-efficacy are of the utmost importance in information searches, especially in new information and media environments such as the web. As a result, the sense of efficacy related to the information literacy skills of users should be regarded as a real concern. The article reports on research regarding Information Literacy Self-efficacy dimensions in a sample of post-graduate students at Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. A survey-descriptive method using a highly validated 28-item scale developed by Kurbanoglu, Akkoyunlu and Umay (
PurposeUser behavior in online information evaluation is the result of a multitude of factors related to social, cultural, personal and psychological issues. The present study aimed to examine the effects of three important psychological variables including personality, self-efficacy and attitude on online information evaluation.Design/methodology/approachFour validated measures were administrated in person and online among 355 postgraduate students at Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. For testing the possible relationships among the variables, the reliability, normality and Pearson correlation tests were performed by using SPSS 24.0. Moreover, to test the ten hypotheses of the research, the structural equation modeling was considered using AMOS 26.0.FindingsThe findings confirmed the first five research hypotheses indicating the direct positive relationships among the four variables except for the impact of self-efficacy on attitude. The mediated effects of the variables were not supported except for the mediating role of attitude in the impact of personality on online evaluation behavior. The variable personality was found to be fundamental among the tested paths because it influenced the information evaluation behavior, both directly and indirectly.Originality/valueThe study showed the impacts of the three variables, which demonstrates that online information evaluation is greatly affected by psychological factors.
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