1.
Don’t Fear the Data
Lynda Kellam
May 13, 2014
The Innovative Library Classroom

2.
John Snow’s Cholera Map
Excerpt from: http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/snowmap1_1854_lge.htm

3.
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?

4.
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 statistics
o Number of unemployed women
o Percentage of students favor gun control
o Gross domestic product
• Numbers are information

5.
Data are fun!
• Gentrification in neighborhoods around UNCG

6.
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

7.
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

8.
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.

9.
Sample Activity 1
• USA Today Snapshots

10.
Just for Fun
• Stephen Colbert’s USA Todayinfographicsells out:
o http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/883h13/usa-today-infographic-
sells-out

11.
Sample Activity 2
• Pew Research Center’s Topics

12.
Sample Activity 2
Global Views on Morality: http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/04/15/global-morality/

13.
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?

14.
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.

15.
Don’t Fear the Data
Questions? Comments?
Lynda Kellam
lmkellam@uncg.edu