الأطر النظرية لبحوث الإعلام الرقمي

Abstract

Abstract:

This study sought to identify the most prominent theories upon which digital media research relies in its interpretations of various phenomena. It stemmed from an examination of the application of scientific communication theories (traditional and modern) in digital media research, based on the debate surrounding the alignment gap between modern scientific theories and the research approaches of the evolving digital environment, This study is classified as qualitative research, employing a qualitative meta-analysis methodology, This methodology analyzes the accumulated research of digital media studies within the framework of explanatory theories and research topics, This was achieved through a review of digital media research published in peer-reviewed Libyan scientific journals specializing in media and communication research, namely: (The Libyan Journal of Media Research, Faculty of Media, University of Benghazi / The International Journal of Media and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Media and Communication, University of Tripoli / The Journal of the Faculty of Arts and Media, Faculty of Arts and Media, University of Misrata / The Journal of Media and Arts, School of Media and Arts, Libyan Academy / and The Journal of Communication Research, Faculty of Media, University of Zaytuna). The study utilized two sampling methods: convenience sampling and standard sampling. The study was purposeful, and it identified 79 research papers.

The study reached a number of conclusions indicating that the theories used in interpreting research in the field of digital media are mostly traditional theories, and they are employed and adapted with an interpretive mechanism for the digital communication phenomenon. The most prominent of these theories were (uses and gratifications theory, media dependency theory, media richness theory, unified technology acceptance theory, technology determinism theory, and framing theory). The study also concluded that there is an absence of the use of modern theories that can explain communication phenomena more accurately and deeply. Also, the analyzed research focused on the uses of digital technologies (digital applications, social media, and digital sites) and their effects in multiple fields such as (education, crises, professional practice, and social life).