ความคิดเห็นด้านบทบาทและสมรรถนะของบรรณารักษ์ห้องสมุดสถาบันอุดมศึกษาชั้นนำของไทยในการรับมือกับข่าวปลอมบนสื่อสังคมออนไลน์

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the opinions on the roles and competencies of librarians in Thailand's top higher educational institutions in tackling fake news on social media. This research was a quantitative in nature. The tool used for data collection was a questionnaire, data was collected from a population of 313 librarians working in libraries of 14 Thailand's top higher educational institutions. A total of 267 completed questionnaires were returned (85.30%). The data were analyzed using statistical measures such as percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The results of the study on the roles in dealing with fake news include teaching/training, services, and activities. Overall, the opinions are at a low level (¯x = 1.84). Librarians prioritized the role of teaching/training first, with an average at a low level (¯x = 2.05). Considering specific aspects, the top three highest averages are methods of observing fake news (¯x = 2.56), basic knowledge about fake news and its impacts (¯x = 2.19), and information literacy in evaluating fake news (¯x = 2.10). The next important role is information services in dealing with fake news, with an average at a low level (¯x = 1.98). Considering specific aspects, the top three highest averages are preparing guidelines to deal with fake news (¯x = 2.08), producing/publishing information related to fake news (¯x = 2.07), and collecting/recommending information about fake news (¯x = 2.04). The role of organizing activities is considered the least important, with the lowest average (¯x = 1.48). Considering specific aspects, the highest average is organizing academic activities to deal with fake news (¯x = 1.50) and library activities to deal with fake news (¯x = 1.46). The results of the study on competencies in dealing with fake news include knowledge, skills, and personal attributes. Overall, the opinions are at a high level (¯x = 4.48). Librarians prioritized two competencies equally: personal attributes in dealing with fake news and skills in dealing with fake news, both with the highest average (¯x = 4.61). Considering specific aspects of personal attributes, the highest averages are a positive attitude towards service (¯x = 4.64) and a service-minded attitude (¯x = 4.57). For skills in dealing with fake news, the top three highest averages are communication skills for teaching, training, service, and organizing activities (¯x = 4.71), skills in analyzing news using evaluation principles (¯x = 4.64), and critical thinking skills (¯x = 4.60). Additionally, librarians gave the least importance to the competency of knowledge in dealing with fake news, with an average at a high level (¯x = 4.23). The top three highest averages in this area are knowledge in organizing activities between organizations, experts, librarians, and users (¯x = 4.52), knowledge of methods to observe fake news (¯x = 4.26), and information literacy focusing on information evaluation (¯x = 4.23)