Data Literacy as a Compound Competence

Data literacy can be defined as a compound competence consisting of some level of competence in statistics, data visualization and more generic competencies in problem-solving using different data. Data literacy is closely related to data science but differs in the level of competence. While data science is a specific domain for trained specialists, data literacy is suggested as a central element in education preparing all young people to become citizens in an information society. In presenting two exemplars of resources and practices that both rely on and foster the attainment of data literacy it is proposed that data literacy is best defined as a compound competence that first and foremost can be ascribed to a community of practice rather than the single individual. The definition, therefore, calls for new and further interdisciplinary collaboration that integrates different competencies and levels of skill.