Digital Literacy among University Students in Indonesia: A Systematic Review of Measurement, Academic Applications, and Evidence on Learning Outcomes

Authors

  • Abriadi Muhara Makassar State University
  • Hasmawaty Makassar State University
  • Syakhruni Makassar State University
  • Andi Adam Muhammadiyah University of Makassar
  • Aliem Bahri Muhammadiyah University of Makassar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijasr.v4i10.3

Keywords:

Digital Literacy, University Students, Indonesian Higher Education, Measurement, Learning, Systematic Review

Abstract

Digital literacy supports students’ academic activities, but research varies in its definitions, instruments, and outcome indicators. This review synthesises definitions and measurement approaches, academic applications and their enablers and barriers, and associations with learning processes and outcomes among university students in Indonesia. Reporting follows PRISMA 2020. A Scopus search identified 208 records, reduced to 129 after restriction to 2016–2025. Filters for article document type, English language, journal source type, and All Open Access yielded 72 records. Applying inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in 35 articles for extraction and synthesis. The review used ten extraction components and a structured synthesis addressing three research questions, distinguishing constructs, assessment methods, psychometric evidence, research designs, and outcomes. Findings reveal conceptual variation across digital literacy, digital competence, digital skills, and digital readiness, with self-report as the predominant measurement approach. Academic applications include information management, writing, collaboration, content creation, independent learning, and evaluation of artificial intelligence outputs. Lecturer and peer support, instructional design, and resource availability accompany barriers involving connectivity, devices, time, and information credibility. Digital literacy shows positive associations with several learning processes and outcomes, although relationships are not consistently direct or uniform. The predominance of cross-sectional designs and self-report measures, limited comparison groups, and inconsistent reporting constrain causal inference. The review highlights the need for multidimensional measurement, performance assessment, and complete methodological reporting.

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Published

2026-10-31

How to Cite

Muhara, A., Hasmawaty, Syakhruni, Andi Adam, & Aliem Bahri. (2026). Digital Literacy among University Students in Indonesia: A Systematic Review of Measurement, Academic Applications, and Evidence on Learning Outcomes. International Journal of Applied and Scientific Research, 4(10), 713–728. https://doi.org/10.59890/ijasr.v4i10.3