don’t fear the data: statistics in information literacy instruction
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For The Innovative Library Classroom Conference 2014. Thanks to Katharin Peter for her collaboration on the original article that shaped the content of this presentation!TRANSCRIPT
Don’t Fear the Data
Lynda KellamMay 13, 2014The Innovative Library Classroom
John Snow’s Cholera Map
Excerpt from: http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/snowmap1_1854_lge.htm
Write – Pair – Share• Do you use numeric sources (like SimplyMap or
American FactFinder) in your library instruction? If so, what sources have you used?
• What challenges have you faced in using numeric sources in library instruction?
• Do you have a success story regarding numeric sources in reference or instruction?
Statistical Literacy• Generally is the ability to interpret or evaluate
statistics and numbers in evidence (Schield, 2004)
• Continuum of skills from basic descriptive statistics to more advanced statistical analysis
• Basic descriptive statisticso Number of unemployed womeno Percentage of students favor gun controlo Gross domestic product
• Numbers are information
Data are fun!• Gentrification in neighborhoods around UNCG
Data in ACRL Information Literacy Competency
Standards• 1.2c – Identifies the value and differences of
potential resources in a variety of formats
• 1.2f – Realizes that information might need to be constructed with raw data from primary sources
• 2.3d – Uses surveys and other forms of inquiry to retrieve primary information
Data in ACRL Information Literacy Competency
Standards• 3.1b – Selects data accurately
• 3.4e – Determines probably accuracy by questioning the source of the data, etc
• 5.2e – Legally obtains, stores, and disseminates data
Sample Student Learning Outcomes
• UNCG’s SLOs
• Students will be able to evaluate statistics found in the popular press according to authority, audience, content, coverage, currency, and purpose.
• Students will be able to identify at least one source of reliable public opinion statistics.
Sample Activity 1• USA Today Snapshots
Just for Fun• Stephen Colbert’s USA Today infographic sells
out: o http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/883h13/usa-today-infographic-sel
ls-out
Sample Activity 2• Pew Research Center’s Topics
Sample Activity 2
Global Views on Morality: http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/04/15/global-morality/
Brainstorming!• Think about one of your classes from
this past semester and consider these questions:o What numeric sources are available at your
institution that would be appropriate to that class?
o What student learning objectives would be most relevant?
o What activities could you do to incorporate those numeric sources?
Additional Resources• Gray, A. (2004). Data and statistical literacy for librarians.
IASSIST Quarterly 28(2/3), 24-29.• Kellam, L. & Peter, K. (2011). Numeric data services and
sources for the general reference librarian. Oxford: Chandos Publications.
• Partlo, K. (2010). The pedagogical data reference interview. IASSIST Quarterly 33(4): 6-10.
• Peter, K. & Kellam, L. (2013). Data on the run: Data and statistical sources for reference and instruction. http://libguides.usc.edu/dataontherun
• Peter, K. & Kellam, L. (2013). Statistics & the single girl: Incorporating statistical literacy into information literacy instruction. LOEX Quarterly 40(1): 2-3, 10.
• Schield, M. (2004). Information literacy, statistical literacy, and data literacy. IASSIST Quarterly 28(2/3), 6-11.