Data Literacy Among Programme Leaders at Strathclyde

Walker, Victoria Mae and Savage, Kathleen and Gould, Helyn (2021) Data Literacy Among Programme Leaders at Strathclyde. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

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Abstract

This report contains the key findings of a small-scale research project concerned with the data literacy of Programme Leaders at Strathclyde. This project was carried out as part of the QAA enhancement theme sector level funding strand, 'Optimising the use of existing data'. A survey of PLs within the institution was designed and distributed, with the aim of finding answers to the following key questions: 1. What data are PLs aware of and using in their roles; 2. What data are PLs not using and why is it not being used; 3. How are PLs using data in their roles; and, 4. How useful do PLs find the available data. PLs were also asked questions around what training they would find beneficial, and what challenges they face in their roles that could be overcome using data. A survey was distributed to PLs across all faculties, with 57 fully completed responses received. The results indicated that PLs indicated a good awareness and use of some of the key data sets, such as NSS, PTES and SUSS, but the awareness and use of other data sets such as ISB, HEIDI, and Strathclyde systems was low. The main reasons for PLs not using available data are because of access issues and not understanding the relevance of the data to their role. PLs highlighted that they wanted it to be simpler to access the data that they need, and required training in how to quickly pull the data that they want from systems and databases. Following on from these findings, the following recommendations have been made: 1. Development of a 'Guide to Data at Strathclyde for Programme Leaders' 2. Creation of a forum for PLs to share learning and best practice 3. Development of an induction for new PLs into the role, 4. Conducting a Learning Needs Analysis among PLs, to better assess the gaps in knowledge and need for training.

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