The Effect of In-Service Training with Digital Data Security Awareness and Information Literacy

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of in-service training with digital data security awareness and information literacy of individuals working in a public service organization. The participants of this explanatory sequential mixed design study consisted of a total of 69 staff (37 female and 32 male). Forty seven of the participants had previously received an in-service training on “Information and Digital Data Security”, while 22 did not. In this study, data were collected by using “Information Literacy Scale” and “Digital Data Security Awareness Scale”. In addition, participants opinions were collected through semi-structured open ended questions. Pearson Correlation and MANOVA were used for the data analysis. The data obtained from the open ended questions were analysed by using content analysis technique. The results of the study demonstrated a moderately positive and significant relationship between participants information literacy and digital data security awareness. However, it was found that the in-service training did not have a significant effect on participants’ digital data security awareness and information literacy. In order to examine the possible reasons for this result, detailed views of the participants on both the content and the method of in-service training process were obtained. In line with these views, some suggestions were given about different educational contents and methods such as providing online in-service trainings rather than face-to-face trainings, creating virtual worlds, group activities on social networks and creating multimedia activities.