Assessing Media and Science Literacy in Adults: A Scoping Review of Existing Assessment Tools

Individual’s capacity to navigate today’s complex information landscape has become a critical issue, particularly in the context of public health, where misinformation poses significant risks. This scoping review aimed to identify and describe existing tools for assessing media and science literacies, including their definitions, conceptual frameworks, psychometric properties, and target populations. A comprehensive search of English and French publications was conducted up to July 11, 2023, across PUBMED, Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO, Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus. Of 5,910 unique references, 32 articles met the final inclusion criteria: 16 on media literacy and 16 on science literacy. Fifteen media literacy tools were identified, focusing on traditional and digital media. Most used Likert-scale items, with some incorporating open-ended responses. These tools assessed skills such as critical thinking, digital proficiency, and awareness of the socio-political context of media content. Twelve tools assessed science literacy, covering general knowledge, environmental health, and specific scientific domains. They measured cognitive, behavioural, and attitudinal dimensions using various formats, including Likert scales, multiple-choice, and open-ended items. This review highlights diverse approaches to media and science literacy assessment and calls for interdisciplinary, digitally responsive tools co-developed with educators, experts, and underrepresented communities.