Exploring the Development of Undergraduates’ Academic Literacy and Its Influencing Factors Based on Social Cognitive Theory
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1306.11873Keywords:
academic literacy, digital literacy, social network, social cognitive theory, undergraduate studentsAbstract
Academic literacy is a significant indicator to measure the academic development level of undergraduates and the construction of higher education in China. In order to analyze the current situation of the undergraduates’ academic literacy development and relevant key influencing factors, this study constructed a corresponding research model on influencing factors of academic literacy based on Social Cognitive Theory. To verify the proposed model and hypotheses, the study was conducted among undergraduate students of Beijing A University. This study found that: (1) The digital literacy and social network had significant positive impacts on academic literacy from the behavioral and environmental levels, respectively; (2) There was a significant positive mutual influence between digital literacy and social network; (3) Digital literacy and social network jointly formed two mediating paths affecting academic literacy. To further enhance the academic literacy of undergraduate students, the study offers the following suggestions for the cultivation of academic ability: (1) Great importance should be attached to the design of research processes; (2) The deep integration of digital literacy and academic literacy should be promoted; (3) A diversified and dynamic academic evaluation system should be improved to encourage students’ all-round development.
References
Fu, J. and Y. Wang, Inspecting EFL teachers’ academic literacy development in multilingual contexts: A global vision. Heliyon, 2022. 8(12): p. e12143.
Xu, L. and X.Y. Mu, Academic literacy of top-notch innovative graduate students: Connotation, structure, and mechanism—an analysis based on grounded theory. Journal of Graduate Education, 2022(2): p. 24-31.
Zhou, W.D., Humanistic knowledge production in the era of digital intelligence. Jiangxi Social Sciences, 2025. 45(8): p. 174-183.
Su, F. and L.X. Yang, An ethnographic case study of the socialization of academic literacy among first-year undergraduate foreign language majors. Foreign Language World, 2022(2): p. 8-15.
Cai, J.G., Journal paper publication and the cultivation of graduate students’ academic and professional literacy. Academic Degrees & Graduate Education, 2020(7): p. 40-45.
Chun, L., Y.Q. Guo and Y. Wang, Reform and practice of OBE-based graduate academic English teaching model under the background of “Double First-Class” initiative: A case study of China University of Petroleum (East China). Academic Degrees & Graduate Education, 2021(5): p. 42-47.
Chen, Y. and F. Xu, A review of “Academic literacy development: Perspectives on the writing practices of foreign language scholars”. Modern Foreign Languages, 2024. 47(3): p. 436-439.
Bai, Q., H.H. Liu and Y. Li, How knowledge reaches literacy: An interpretation based on the epistemology of Husserl and Piaget. China Educational Technology, 2024(10): p. 17-23.
Shanahan, T. and C. Shanahan, Teaching disciplinary literacy to adolescents: Rethinking content-area literacy. Harvard Educational Review, 2008. 78(1): p. 40-59. Page | 23 Scholar Publishing
Jiang, L.B., W.X. Zhu and C.R. Fu, Research on the element structure and development mechanism of academic literacy for academic master's students. Heilongjiang Researches on Higher Education, 2021. 39(3): p. 98-102.
Lea, M.R. and B.V. Street, Student writing in higher education: An academic literacies approach. Studies in Higher Education, 1998. 23(2): p. 157-172.
Lea, M.R. and B.V. Street, “The academic literacies” model: Theory and applications. Theory Into Practice, 2006. 45(4): p. 368-377.
Wang, L.Z., J.Y. Yuan and X.F. Ma, Analysis on the connotation and cultivation of graduate students' academic literacy. Software Guide (Educational Technology), 2012. 11(5): p. 50-52.
Sun, Q., Profiling lecturers’ and students’ beliefs about literacy-related skills in an EMI university: A Q methodology study. Language and Education, 2025. 40(1): p. 1-20.
Yang, W.S. and S.L. Yang, Research on the relationship between formal and informal communication networks and enterprise cooperation performance: Based on the role of resource acquisition and network capability. Henan Social Sciences, 2024. 32(2): p. 79-89.
Zhan, Z.L., The main content and theoretical interpretation of the degree law of China. Journal of Central South University (Social Science Edition), 2024. 30(4): p. 1-13.
Wu, D., X.J. Gui, C. Zhou, et al., Teachers’ digital literacy: Connotation, standards and evaluation. e-Education Research, 2023. 44(8): p. 108-114+128.
Xu, G.X., X.Y. Kong and J. Guan, Cultivation of college students’ digital literacy under the background of digital integration: Model and path. China Educational Technology, 2024(2): p. 53-60.
Zhong, Z., Competent for digital transformation: A study of the European Union’s digital competence framework. World Education Information, 2023. 36(1): p. 46-57.
Cosgrove, J. and R. Cachia, DigComp 3.0: European digital competence framework, fifth edition. 2025. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/d1ed6c89-cb9c-11f0- 8da2-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.
Li, F. and D.W. Kang, An investigation into the types and influencing factors of pre-service teachers’ digital literacy: Based on latent profile analysis. China Educational Technology, 2026(2): p. 86-94.
Friday, J.E., D.E. Ovwasa and C. Onyenwenu, Digital literacy influence on research productivity of librarians in South-South Nigerian federal universities. International Journal of Information Studies and Libraries, 2024. 9(1): p. 88-102.
Indah, R.N., Toyyibah, A.S. Budhiningrum, et al., The research competence, critical thinking skills and digital literacy of Indonesian EFL students. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 2022. 13(2): p. 315-324.
Guo, Y.N., J.H. Zhang and X.L. Huang, Concepts, measurements, and impacts of social networks: A literature review. Zhejiang Social Sciences, 2015(2): p. 122-132.
Ma, J.Y. and L. Chen, Construction of weak disciplines in universities from the perspective of social network theory. Higher Education Development and Evaluation, 2021. 37(3): p. 10-19.
Du, C.L. and D.S. Liu, Knowledge transfer in social networks: A new theoretical framework of physical exercise behavior mechanisms. Journal of Physical Education, 2023. 30(5): p. 58-66.
Cui, F., X.M. Sun, W. Xiong, et al., The impact of ego network changes of key R&D personnel on enterprise innovation performance: Using whole network as a mediating variable. Science & Technology Progress and Policy, 2017. 34(17): p. 80-90. Page | 24 Scholar Publishing
Sun, D.P. and Z.K. Zhu, Four functional frameworks of social networks and their measurement. Contemporary Economic Science, 2010. 32(2): p. 69-77.
Zheng, Q. and L.Y. Li, Measurement and type analysis of distributed leadership in school teaching and research organizations: Based on social network analysis. Journal of Educational Studies, 2022. 18(2): p. 148-160.
Yang, D., Exploring the reform path of “Three-wide Education” in universities from the perspective of social network theory. Journal of Southeast University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), 2022. 24(S2): p. 24-26.
Guo, P.W., J.P. Peng and D. Zeng, Research on knowledge sharing mechanism in university teachers’ learning communities based on social network analysis: A case study of Guangdong Z College. Contemporary Educational Science, 2018(12): p. 57-64.
Zhao, C.L., Y.Z. Liang, L.L. Liu, et al., Research on knowledge sharing behavior in online learning spaces based on social cognitive theory. e-Education Research, 2016. 37(10): p. 14-21+41.
Liu, Z.H., Y.J. Wei, Q. Zu, et al., High-quality development path of ideological and political education in universities in the new media era: From the perspective of social cognitive theory. Jiangsu Higher Education, 2023(10): p. 104-108.
Yu, Y.H., The impact of digital reading on college Chinese teaching and its optimization path under social cognitive theory. Language and Translation, 2025(3): p. 91-96.
Shahzad, M.F., S. Xu and H. Zahid, Exploring the impact of generative AI-based technologies on learning performance through self-efficacy, fairness & ethics, creativity, and trust in higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 2024. 30(3): p. 3691-3716.
Scott, W.D., D. Cervone and O.U. Ebiringah, The social-cognitive clinician: On the implications of social cognitive theory for psychotherapy and assessment. International Journal of Psychology, 2024. 59(5): p. 616-623.
Wu, L.J., H.M. Wang, X.L. Xiang, et al., Community of inquiry and communication anxiety: A configurational study on learning effects in online collaborative conversations. Distance Education Journal, 2024. 42(6): p. 53-61.
Böttcher, F. and F. Thiel, Evaluating research-oriented teaching: A new instrument to assess university students’ research competences. Higher Education, 2017. 75(1): p. 91-110.
Cosgrove, J. and R. Cachia, DigComp 3.0: European digital competence framework - fifth edition. Publications Office of the European Union, 2025. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/0001149.
Wang, X.J., Y.X. Yan and S.J. Wang, Research and practice on the reform of the “five-ring and double-chain” mutually-feeding graduate academic training curriculum system. Academic Degrees & Graduate Education, 2024(11): p. 13-18.
Guzmán-Simón, F., E. García-Jiménez and I. López-Cobo, Undergraduate students’ perspectives on digital competence and academic literacy in a Spanish university. Computers in Human Behavior, 2017. 74: p. 196-204.
Li, N., Q. Huang, X. Ge, et al., A review of the research progress of social network structure. Complexity, 2021. 2021(1): p. 1-14.
Yang, X. and X.M. Chen, Research on the relationship among digital literacy, self-regulated learning strategies, and digital academic cognitive attitudes. Library Development, 2026(1): p. 146-159. Page | 25 Scholar Publishing
Li, P., C. Wang and Y. Wang, Relationship between psychological resilience and everyday creativity among adolescents: A chain mediating role of creative self-efficacy and creative self-evaluation. Journal of Chengdu Normal University, 2024. 40(5): p. 72-84.
Shen, Y.Q., J.A. Liu, J.L. Zhang, et al., Process elements and working mechanisms of cultivating top-notch academic undergraduates: Based on a survey of the first graduates of the “Top-notch Plan” in Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Research in Higher Education of Engineering, 2021(5): p. 106-112.
Li, M.L., J. Wang, R. Wang, et al., How research project engagement enhances academic ability of engineering doctoral students: The moderating effects of supervisor guidance and curriculum learning. Journal of Graduate Education, 2022(6): p. 31-42.
Gkrimpizi, T., V. Peristeras and I. Magnisalis, Classification of barriers to digital transformation in higher education institutions: Systematic literature review. Education Sciences, 2023. 13(7): p. 746.
Feng, G., Leading the high-quality development of legal research with scientific academic evaluation. China University Teaching, 2023(9): p. 84-89.
Xu, L. and M. Barrow, ‘Playing the same game differently’: Constituting academic identities in four disciplines. Higher Education, 2024. 88(4): p. 1645-1661.
Xu, Y.J., Paradigm shift in academic evaluation of philosophy and social sciences: From performance perspective to ecological perspective. Journal of Peking University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), 2024(6): p. 160-170. Page | 26
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
