(1225)RURAL-URBAN DIFFERENCES IN INFORMATION ACCESS ANDINFORMATION LITERACY AMONG ADULTS IN TAIWAN

摘要

The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have information and those who do not.Research evidence from many countries showed that there were significant differences betweenresidents from urban areas and rural areas in computer and Internet usage. However, is this gapcaused by personal traits of residents, or is it caused by the opportunities of information access? Theprimary purpose of this study was to investigate the information access and information literacy amongadults in rural and urban areas, and to examine the effects of residential location on informationaccess and information literacy with controlling demographic characteristics.The participants were adults above 18 years old living in Taipei City (urban area) and Hualien County(rural area) in Taiwan. The total sample consisted of 402 adults from urban area and 431 adults fromrural area. Structural questionnaire contained measurement of demographic variables, informationaccess and information literacy. A paper-and pencil survey was conducted. The data have beencollected during May to June 2011.The results show that younger adults, those with more years of schooling, those with a higheroccupational class, and those living in urban area have better performance in information access andinformation literacy. Rural residents appear lower frequency of computer usage and Internet usagethan urban residents. Hierarchical regression analyses show that with controlling demographiccharacteristics and information access, residential location no longer have significant influence oninformation literacy, and the significant independent variables are information access and educationlevel.These findings suggest that information accessibility should be elevated in less urbanization areas,and the residents need more information education. Information services and education should bedeveloped suitably to disadvantaged people, including those with low educational level, lowoccupational class, and those who are older. As residential location is an environmental factor, futurestudies should use multilevel modeling method to further clarify the effects of personal andenvironmental factors on digital divide.