Chapter 1 An Overview of Data literacy
In modern society, we frequently see the following types of statements in the media:
Momentum Chief Executive, Jeanette Marais, said while 80% of the [withdrawal requests from the two-pot retirement system] are from people between 30 and 49 years old, there was concern over requests from the 50-59 age group, which made up 16% of the total. (Reuters, 27 September 2024)
Despite the ever presence of sunshine and wind, only 8% of South Africa’s power comes from renewables compared to a global average of 29%. (IOL.co.za, 11 December 2023)
BHP Billiton, the Australian-based diversified global miner, says it expects global electricity consumption for data centers to rise from around 2% of total demand today, to 9% by 2050, with copper demand in data centers increasing six-fold by then. (Mining.com, 30 September 2024)
According to StatsSA’s latest report, motor trade sales for March 2024 (measured in real terms by constant 2019 prices) decreased by 10.4% year-on-year, 7% month-on-month, and 2.9% quarter-on-quarter. (businesstech.co.za, 16 May 2024)
Unsurprisingly, a trial found that people with heart disease who were obese or overweight reduced their risk of having a severe cardiovascular event — including death, stroke or heart attack — by 20% when they took semaglutide. (Nature.com, 25 September 2024).
Released this week, the sixth South African HIV prevalence, incidence, and behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) found a 7.4% HIV prevalence rate in the province [Western Cape] for 2022, down from 8.6% in 2017. (Mail & Guardian, 29 September 2024)
The numerical facts in the preceding statements – 80%, 16%, 8%, 29%, 2%, 9%, 10.4%, 7%, 2.9%, 20%, 7.4% and 8.6% - are referred to as statistics or statistical information. This type of information can help us understand the trends in economics, business, health and employment and thus enable us to make more informed decisions. Statistical information is data that has been recorded, classified, organized, related, or interpreted within a framework so that meaning emerges1. Thus, an essential skill towards effectively making use of statistical information is data literacy. In this Chapter, we give an overview of data literacy, including key data literacy skills that will be covered more broadly in the coming chapters. Thus, this chapter lays the foundation for the rest of the book.