UROP Project

Bridging the Data Literacy Gap

data literacy, data analysis, instruction, community

Research Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Ruhs , he/him
Department, College, Affiliation: University Libraries , N/A
Contact Email: nruhs@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7-8, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

• Day: Wednesday, September 2
  Start Time: 3:30
  End Time: 4:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92287266083
• Day: Friday, September 4
  Start Time: 1:00
  End Time: 1:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92772632726

Project Description

This undergraduate research opportunity is part of a project focused on advancing data literacy education for high school and community college students in the Tallahassee area. The project seeks to develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programs that help learners build skills in understanding, interpreting, analyzing, and communicating with data while preparing them for data-intensive academic pathways, careers, and everyday decision-making.

Working closely with the project team, the UROP student will contribute to the evaluation of pilot data literacy workshops by assisting with the development, collection, and analysis of instructional assessment data, including pre- and post-training surveys used to measure learning outcomes. Responsibilities will also include conducting background research on data literacy education, instructional assessment, and evidence-based teaching practices for high school and community college audiences. Additional opportunities include assisting with the development of facilitator guides and instructional materials that support educators in delivering data literacy training.

Participation in this project will provide hands-on experience in educational research, program evaluation, quantitative analysis, literature searching, and curriculum development while contributing to a community-focused initiative aimed at strengthening data literacy skills across learner populations.

Research Tasks: Quantitative data analysis
Data cleaning, organization, and management
Assessment and evaluation of learning outcomes
Literature review

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended:
Willingness to learn new tools or research methods
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Good communication skills