--- title: Towards benchmarking data literacy description: ODI research on benchmarking adult data literacy through self-assessment and literacy levels — published at The Web Conference 2022. image: https://theodi.hacdn.io/media/images/1.1_DotsFace-Blue-1920x1080-ODI-Re.2e16d0ba.fill-700x500.png --- [![ODI Learning](https://learning.theodi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/01_ODI%20Learning/learning-150-Blue-L%20(1).png?width=121&height=56&name=learning-150-Blue-L%20(1).png)](https://learning.theodi.org) - [Courses & Training](https://learning.theodi.org/courses) Show submenu for Courses & Training - [Quick Learning](https://learning.theodi.org/micro-courses) - [Self-Paced Courses](https://learning.theodi.org/self-paced-courses) Show submenu for Self-Paced Courses - [Understanding Data Ethics and AI](https://learning.theodi.org/courses/understanding-data-ethics-and-ai-self-paced) - [Strategic data skills](https://learning.theodi.org/courses/strategic-data-skills) - [Data Ethics Essentials \[FREE\]](https://learning.theodi.org/courses/data-ethics-essentials) - 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[Open Data Essentials \[FREE\]](https://open-data-essentials.learndata.info) - [Webinars](https://learning.theodi.org/data-ethics-professionals/webinars) - [Blog](https://learning.theodi.org/blog) - [Our Community](https://www.theodi.org/global-network-directory/) Show submenu for Our Community - [Meet the team](https://learning.theodi.org/trainers) - [ODI Certified Trainers](https://www.theodi.org/global-network-directory/odi-trainers/) - [Data Ethics Professionals](https://www.theodi.org/global-network-directory/data-ethics-professionals-and-facilitators/) ![ODI research visual — data institutions theme](https://theodi.hacdn.io/media/images/1.1_DotsFace-Blue-1920x1080-ODI-Re.2e16d0ba.fill-700x500.png) # Towards benchmarking data literacy [![The ODI Learning Team](https://learning.theodi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/01_ODI%20Learning/Learning-moo-roundsticker-05.png?width=50&height=50&name=Learning-moo-roundsticker-05.png)](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/author/the-odi-learning-team) [The ODI Learning Team](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/author/the-odi-learning-team) Apr 25, 2022, 1:00:00 PM How we approached benchmarking adult data literacy — beyond skills to use data, towards critical understanding. Data literacy is increasingly visible in policy and organisational agendas. Much of the focus has been on teaching people to *use* data. As data’s impact on society has grown, so has the need for a wider view: understanding and thinking critically about how data is collected, used and shared. This paper, presented at The Web Conference 2022, goes beyond definitions. It reports research on benchmarking data literacy through self-assessment, based on a set of data literacy levels for adults developed at the Open Data Institute. The work is frank about the limits of self-assessment, while pointing to clear potential: building on those levels toward IQ-style tests that strengthen critical thinking and make the case for data literacy education. The research underpins much of ODI’s later work on data skills frameworks and learning design — including how we talk about capability across technical and non-technical roles. ## Publication details Inverarity, C.; Tarrant, D.; Forrest, E. and Greenwood, P. (2022). *Towards Benchmarking Data Literacy.* In: Companion of The Web Conference 2022 (WWW ’22 Companion), 25–29 April 2022, Lyon, France (virtual). ACM, pp. 408–416. [Download the paper (PDF)](https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3487553.3524695) · [View on ACM / DOI](https://doi.org/10.1145/3487553.3524695) ## Continue your learning Explore the [Data Skills Framework](https://learning.theodi.org/courses/data-skills-framework) and related ODI [learning courses](https://learning.theodi.org/courses). Next Post ###### [Innovating with integrity: the rise of data ethics in the finance sector](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/innovating-with-integrity-the-rise-of-data-ethics-in-the-finance-sector) ### Similar Blog Posts [![Tailored learning experiences: A dive into the ODI's self-paced and tutor-led data literacy courses](https://learning.theodi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Tailored%20learning%20experiences%20-%20A%20dive%20into%20the%20ODIs%20self-paced%20and%20tutor-led%20data%20literacy%20courses%20.jpg?width=352&name=Tailored%20learning%20experiences%20-%20A%20dive%20into%20the%20ODIs%20self-paced%20and%20tutor-led%20data%20literacy%20courses%20.jpg)](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/a-dive-into-odis-self-paced-and-tutor-led-courses) #### [Tailored learning experiences: A dive into the ODI's self-paced and tutor-led data literacy courses](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/a-dive-into-odis-self-paced-and-tutor-led-courses) [![](https://learning.theodi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/01_ODI%20Learning/Website/course_headers_DEP-1.png?width=352&name=course_headers_DEP-1.png)](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/why-people-across-the-world-are-getting-certified-as-data-ethics-professionals) #### [Why people across the world are getting certified as Data Ethics Professionals](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/why-people-across-the-world-are-getting-certified-as-data-ethics-professionals) [![Ethical AI in action](https://theodi.hacdn.io/media/images/Screenshot_2026-01-16_at_14.52.13.2e16d0ba.fill-1200x630.png)](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/dep-webinar-ethical-ai-in-action) #### [Ethical AI in action](https://learning.theodi.org/blog/dep-webinar-ethical-ai-in-action) [![ODI Learning](https://learning.theodi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/01_ODI%20Learning/learning-150-Blue-L%20(1).png?width=121&height=56&name=learning-150-Blue-L%20(1).png)](https://learning.theodi.org/) **ODI Learning** offers courses that are friendly, supportive and fun. 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