Development and Validation of a Data Literacy Assessment Scale

ABSTRACT The recognition of data literacy as an important learning outcome in higher education has led to a call for assessment tools to measure students’ data literacy. Although there has been a growing interest in the conceptualization of data literacy, the literature lacks a measuring instrument to operationalize data literacy. This study developed and validated a three‐factor, 24‐item data literacy assessment tool using a sample of 573 students from four community colleges in the United States. The data literacy scale developed in this study has respectable reliability and construct validity, supported by a concept analysis of data literacy, a comparative analysis of data literacy competency frameworks, an expert panel review, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis.