TR
EN
Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students with Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention
Abstract
This study, designed as a quasi-experimental single-group pretest-posttest model, examines changes in knowledge levels associated with an educational intervention designed to enhance the knowledge levels of university students with physical and sensory disabilities regarding the safe use of digital information and communication tools. Within the scope of the research, 15 students with disabilities were included in workshops on topics such as online dangers, digital literacy, digital addiction, cybercrime and methods of combating them. In the quantitative data collection process of this application, the data were obtained by pre-test, post-test and retention test forms. According to the data obtained, the average of the pre-test applied to determine the level of knowledge of the participants about the safe use of digital information and communication technologies is 3.14; the average of the posttest is 4.40; the average of the permanence test is 4.02. To examine whether digital security knowledge changed significantly over time, a Friedman test was conducted comparing pretest, posttest, and retention test scores for the entire sample (N=15). The results indicated a statistically significant effect of time on participants’ knowledge levels (χ²(2)=24.60, p<0.001). Post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction showed that posttest and retention test scores were significantly higher than pretest scores (p<0.01), while the difference between posttest and retention test scores was not statistically significant (p>0.05), indicating that the knowledge gains were largely retained over time. The findings reveal that the training was associated with a statistically significant increase in knowledge levels of knowledge of the participants about digital security and that this improvement was sustained to a certain extent level. As a result, the study draws attention to the risks faced by people with disabilities in digital environments and emphasizes the importance of educational support for them to cope with these risks.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
This study was supported by TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye) under the 4008-Support Program for Inclusive Society Practices for Individuals with Special Needs (Project Number: 124B571).
Project Number
124B571
Ethical Statement
Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Isparta University of Applied Sciences (29/01/2024, 179-01). Participants were duly informed about the study’s aims, procedures, and related considerations, and verbal informed consent was obtained from all volunteer participants by the researcher.
Thanks
The author extends gratitude to the experts, trainers, mentor students, and participants who contributed to the success of the project.
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Inclusive Education, Specialist Studies in Education (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
July 31, 2026
Submission Date
September 16, 2025
Acceptance Date
March 2, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 41 Number: 3
APA
Oğuz Özgür, H. (2026). Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students with Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 41(3), 656-668. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1785156
AMA
1.Oğuz Özgür H. Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students with Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;41(3):656-668. doi:10.16986/hunefd.1785156
Chicago
Oğuz Özgür, Hatice. 2026. “Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students With Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention”. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 41 (3): 656-68. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1785156.
EndNote
Oğuz Özgür H (July 1, 2026) Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students with Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 41 3 656–668.
IEEE
[1]H. Oğuz Özgür, “Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students with Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention”, Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 656–668, July 2026, doi: 10.16986/hunefd.1785156.
ISNAD
Oğuz Özgür, Hatice. “Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students With Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention”. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 41/3 (July 1, 2026): 656-668. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1785156.
JAMA
1.Oğuz Özgür H. Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students with Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;41:656–668.
MLA
Oğuz Özgür, Hatice. “Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students With Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention”. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 41, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 656-68, doi:10.16986/hunefd.1785156.
Vancouver
1.Hatice Oğuz Özgür. Enhancing Digital Security Awareness Among University Students with Disabilities: A Training-Based Intervention. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Jul. 1;41(3):656-68. doi:10.16986/hunefd.1785156