Digital competences: an opportunity for research
Keywords:
Digital competences; scientific research; digital literacy; higher education; digital divide.Abstract
Digital competences have become a cross-cutting axis for research practice in the 21st century. This article analyzes how mastery of digital skills (informational, communicative, content creation, safety, and problem-solving) enhances scientific production, interdisciplinary collaboration, and open knowledge communication. Through a mixed-methods study with 245 researchers from Latin American universities, the self-perceived level of digital competences and its relationship with research productivity indicators was assessed. Results show significant associations between high levels of digital competences and a greater number of open access publications, use of reference managers, and participation in scientific networks. Implications for the design of institutional policies and doctoral training programs are discussed. An expanded analysis of structural barriers and intervention proposals from higher education is included. It is concluded that digital competences represent a strategic opportunity to democratize research and increase its social impact.
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