Information poverty predictors among Ahvazi citizens; Investigating some cases

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the most important information poverty predictors among Ahvazi citizens. This applied and correlational-descriptive study employed structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The information poverty scale and the standard questionnaires of social participation, social exclusion, technophobia, and economic capital were used to collect the data. On the next step, their reliability and validity were confirmed through using Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis. The study population consisted of individuals aged 15 and above living in Ahvaz. Furthermore, the subjects were selected using a multistage random sampling technique, where 520 questionnaires were collected. The results showed a significant relationship among some factors like information poverty and education, gender, social exclusion, social participation, and ultimately, economic capital. However, the relationship between technophobia and information poverty has not been confirmed. Information poverty is a multidimensional-multifactorial phenomenon, associated with diverse factors. Due to the fact that, the relationship between variables and information poverty was confirmed; we need to minimize material poverty and social exclusion, paying attention to the educational system, and increasing social participation in society in order to reduce information poverty. This phenomenon can be in contact with information-related infrastructures, increasing the number of libraries and their resources, strengthening Internet access, and teaching information literacy. Moreover, several factors can exacerbate information poverty, some of which has been addressed in this study.