Information and digital literacies; a review of concepts

Bawden, David (2001) Information and digital literacies; a review of concepts. Journal of Documentation 57(2):pp. 218-259.

Abstract

This is a reprint of a paper (29 pages) published in the Journal of Documentation, 2001. The concepts of ‘information literacy’ and ‘digital literacy’ are described, and reviewed, by way of a literature survey and analysis. Related concepts, including computer literacy, library literacy, network literacy, internet literacy and hyperliteracy are also discussed, and their relationships elucidated. After a general introduction, the paper begins with the basic concept of ‘literacy’, which is then expanded to include newer forms of literacy, more suitable for complex information environments. Some of these, for example library, media and computer literacies, are based largely on specific skills, but have some extension beyond them. They lead to general concepts, such as information literacy and digital literacy, which are based on knowledge, perceptions and attitudes, though reliant on the simpler skills-based literacies.