Instrumento de avaliação de inclusão digital na perspectiva das noções de capitais

Abstract

Digital inclusion goes beyond the internet; it is a means of social (re)signification that deserves academic attention. By connecting digitally, it is expected that information subjects will cease to be passive recipients and become active agents in the knowledge construction process. The scope of this work is to develop a methodological model of digital inclusion supported by the analysis of existing research, the contributions of different types of capital (technical, economic, cognitive, and informational), and the social and technological dynamics that influence this process. Regarding the methodological approach, it is characterized as basic in nature, as it is dedicated to the construction of theoretical and conceptual knowledge in the field of information technology. This study relies on bibliographic and documentary materials, such as scientific articles, books, institutional documents, and data from specialized databases. The methodological approach adopted is quantitative-qualitative, because it integrates quantitative analysis techniques in the bibliometric analysis of indicators and data collected in Scopus, with qualitative interpretations in the classification of studies, based on the notions of capital and analysis of the developed indicators. Data collection was carried out using the Scopus database, chosen for its methodological criteria that met the objectives. The aim was to identify publications that discuss, apply, or propose indicators, metrics, or evaluation models related to the context of digital inclusion. 425 studies were identified, and their titles, abstracts, and keywords were analyzed. After analysis, eighteen studies remained, which were used to extract the indicators. Data analysis was conducted using the content analysis technique proposed by Laurence Bardin, structured in the stages of pre-analysis, coding, categorization, and treatment of results, accompanied by interpretations. 78 possible indicators used by the authors were identified. After eliminating duplicate variables, translating them into Portuguese, and grouping them by conceptual affinity, 55 indicators remained. The variables were organized into six conceptual groups: infrastructure and access; digital skills and competencies; interactions and communication; security and trust; biosociodemographic profile; and social impact. This essay proposes a pioneering approach to analyzing digital inclusion through the notions of capital. This proposal breaks with traditional models that restrict the evaluation of digital inclusion to simple technical access or technological infrastructure. This research adopts Bourdieu's theory of capital as a basis for understanding digital inclusion as a process of social appropriation of information and communication technologies, involving skills and autonomy. Unlike approaches centered on projects and structures, the proposed model applies to users and incorporates informational capital alongside technical, economic, and cognitive capital. The proposed evaluation instrument, far from being a static model, needs to be adapted to the specificities of each context. It concludes that, although the inclusion indicators analyzed focus on the cognitive category, the evaluation of the phenomenon still presents limitations regarding the articulated integration of technical, social, cultural, and intellectual capital.