New media literacy: psychometric analysis of a measurement instrument in university students from Ecuador

The objective of this study is to perform a psychometric analysis of the New Media Literacy Scale (NMLS) developed by Koc and Barut (2016) and unpublished for the Latin American context. The psychometric study was based on information from 761 university students from public and private establishments in Quito-Ecuador. Confirmatory factor analysis identified a four-factor model (chi(2)/gl = 3.84, IFI = .91, TLI = .90, CFI = .91, RMSEA = .06, SRMR = .05) and high reliability per subscale (omega omega values ranging between .86- .92 and alpha values between .89- .93). The external validity analysis provided favorable evidence from significant and negative correlations between the NML scale and misinformation beliefs about COVID-19.The psychometric results allow us to conclude that the NML scale is a valid and reliable instrument to measure new media literacy in the Ecuadorian social context. Finally, implications and limitations are established, reflecting on the importance of having useful measuring tools for developing effective literacy strategies. .