Tools for understanding and evaluating arguments and descriptions of reality

The researchers in this project want to study how students can be prepared and supported as they develop their ability to evaluate arguments and narratives in relation to underlying empirical data, a set of  skills known as data literacy.

The researchers see data literacy as central to an individual’s ability to make informed decisions and participate in modern society. It is therefore vital that all young people, regardless of their background and upbringing conditions, are given good opportunities to develop these skills. They also point out the virtual absence of research in this field, particularly when it comes to younger students.

In addition to being able to critically examine and evaluate information sources, data literacy also involves being able to evaluate arguments and narratives in relation to underlying empirical data. This includes the ability to interpret basic statistical reasoning, tables, diagrams and so on, and to understand how they can be used to support arguments of various kinds – and how they can be used to mislead.

The researchers want to explore how 11–13-year-olds can be prepared and supported as they develop the following abilities: understanding what a diagram shows and does not show; understanding the difference between absolute and proportional numbers, and how combining them can lead to erroneous conclusions; understanding whether or not an argument is founded on a certain quantity of data; understanding how data can be selected to slant a narrative.

The developmental psychology aspect of the project is key, since an important and as yet largely unexplored issue is to establish what kinds of learning materials are appropriate for students of a given age. In the first phase of the project the researchers will investigate what is touched on in the normal school syllabus and what students and teachers find challenging and difficult. The next stage will be to develop and evaluate a design concept for a digital learning resource in close collaboration with teachers and school classes, based on an existing prototype digital learning resource – the Rescue of Dataville.

Prospective topics are critical examination of graphic representations; understanding that the same data can give rise to different “narratives”; being able to see through common ways of using graphics and simple statistics to mislead.

The overall aim is that the digital learning resource should support development of data literacy in students.

Towards the end of the project the plan is also to intensify and extend the collaboration regarding the digital learning resource with stakeholders such as Malmö Museums and Vattenhallen Science Center in Lund.