Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, Isfahan University, Isfahan
2 Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Media, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Media literacy is a 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to
access, analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a variety of forms ‑ from print to video to the
Internet. Also, it builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills
of inquiry and self‑expression necessary for citizens of a democracy. The purpose of this research
was to determine the rate of media literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences’
students using Iranian Media Literacy Questionnaire (IMLQ). Materials and Methods: This
is a survey research in which the data were collected by a researcher‑made questionnaire.
Its validity and reliability were confirmed by Library and Information Sciences specialists and
Chronbach’s alpha (r = 0.89), respectively. Statistical population consisted of all students in
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (7000 cases) and the samples were 364. Sampling
method was random stratified sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive (frequency
distribution, mean) and inferential (T‑test, ANOVA, and one‑sample t‑test) statistics through
SPSS16 software. Results: The findings showed that the mean level of media literacy among
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences’ students was 3.20 ± 0.558 (higher than average).
The highest mean was skill in avoiding confusion and focus on activates such as watching
television, listening to radio, reading newspaper, and using internet; and the lowest mean was
skill in membership and subscription in useful society networks. The mean of evaluation of
media messages dimension was more than others. The lowest mean of dimensions was for
selective and purposeful use of media with 2.99 ± 0.761. Comparison between gender, married
status, educational degree, and college type and the rate of media literacy among Isfahan
University of Medical Sciences’ students showed no significant difference. Conclusion: The
results showed that the rate of media literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences’
students was higher than average. But students didn’t have enough skill in membership and
subscription in useful society networks and Skill in tracking news about your favorite artists
and musicians. Generally, all students and education practitioners should pay special attention
to factors affecting in improving media literacy as a basic capability in using media.
Keywords
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