Threats to Scientific Epistemology in the Digital Era: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study examines the structural limitations and emerging threats to scientific knowledge in the digital era. While digital transformation enhances access to information, it simultaneously raises critical challenges regarding the production, validation, and authority of knowledge. This research employs a systematic literature review approach, analyzing scholarly articles published between 2020 and 2025. Data were collected from national academic journals and examined using content analysis and critical discourse analysis. The findings reveal that major limitations include digital inequality, the erosion of scientific authority, and ethical dilemmas in big data research. Furthermore, significant threats arise from the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, the weakening of critical thinking due to algorithm-driven filter bubbles, the dominance of commercial technology platforms, and biases embedded in artificial intelligence systems. This study concludes that digitalization does not automatically strengthen scientific epistemology; instead, it may undermine it without robust regulatory and educational frameworks. The study recommends strengthening open science infrastructure, integrating digital and critical literacy into education systems, and developing policies to protect the knowledge ecosystem.