Able to find, evaluate and use information and data
On this page you'll find links to resources to help you learn how to find, evaluate and use information and data.
Select your current capability level to jump to aligned resources:
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Not at Level 1
Able to find, evaluate and use information and data
Not at Level 1 - I am not confident using digital tools to search for and find information and data.
This short course will help you learn how to search for things on the internet. It will introduce you to search engines, explain how to carry out a basic search, and how to lookout for adverts in your search results: Digital Learn - Basic Search
Work through this short interactive course which will guide you through finding information on the internet and evaluating how reliable websites are: BCS - Using a Web Browser to Find and Evaluate Information
Learn how to create better searches, and other useful tips, to find the information you need online: Lloyds Bank Academy - Finding Information Online
It is important that you know what you can and can't trust when you find information online. Watch the first video on this page to learn how to confidently source trustworthy information online and how to narrow down searches to find exactly what you are looking for: Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) - Learning to Learn: Finding Trustworthy Information Online
For further resources, visit the Handling, Information and Data page of the Digital and Data Resource Hub. You might also want to consider joining the Knowledge, Information and Data (KIND) Learning Network. This is an inclusive and supportive community of practice with free training opportunities aimed at developing professional skills at all levels.
Level 1
Able to find, evaluate and use information and data
Level 1 - I am able to search for and find information and data using digital tools that I am familiar with, and always check that data I am using is as complete as possible. I can understand straightforward tables, charts and graphs.
Five short online guides that will help you work out what you need to know and where to look for it, how to use the best words for your search, how to know if you have found good information, and how to share your information and put it into practice. Although written from a social care perspective, this applies to everyone: Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) - Finding Trustworthy Resources
Learn how to focus your online searches effectively, avoid common searching pitfalls, and ensure you retrieve the best information for your needs: Open University - Effective Searching
To find out more about advanced search techniques, including how to use Boolean operators, read this guidance: NHS Education for Scotland (NES) - How to Search
Work through this online module to help you develop a critical approach towards information sources you encounter online, ensuring you are able to use information and data safely and appropriately: OpenLearn - Critical Consumption
This fun video introduces seven different types of graphs (e.g. bar charts, pie charts, and scatterplots) that are commonly used to display information, explaining what each of them means and when they should be used: Statistics Learning Centre - Understanding Statistical Graphs and When to Use Them
For further resources, visit the Handling, Information and Data page of the Digital and Data Resource Hub. You might also want to consider joining the Knowledge, Information and Data (KIND) Learning Network. This is an inclusive and supportive community of practice with free training opportunities aimed at developing professional skills at all levels.
Level 2
Able to find, evaluate and use information and data
Level 2 - I am confident working with the information and data that I need to do my job. I am able to find data using a range of digital tools, evaluating it to ensure it is from reliable sources and that it is accurate, current and relevant. I critically assess information generated by digital tools, including artificial intelligence systems, and use it appropriately. I can extract, share or present data in different formats, as required.
This webpage will introduce you to data analysis terminology including visualisation, clustering, machine learning, and the ethical considerations you must be mindful of in this field: Projecting Success - Beginner's Guide to Data Analysis Methods
Watch this video to learn about the 'data journey' and the steps that data goes through on its way to telling a story, from defining and gathering, through exploring and describing, to analysing and modelling: Statistics Canada - What is Data? - An Introduction to Data Terminology and Concepts
Develop your ability to critically assess information by considering its source, relevance, objectivity, method and how current it is. Use the PROMPT approach to help you decide whether information is reliable and appropriate to use: Open University - Evaluating information on the internet
Apply these critical evaluation skills when using artificial intelligence. Learn how to review AI-generated outputs for accuracy and usefulness, identify information that may be incorrect or misleading, and apply your own knowledge and judgement before deciding whether an output can be relied upon: Open University - Skills and strategies for using Generative AI: Evaluating the results
Learn about the most common types of graphs and charts and how they can be used to interpret and communicate data effectively: Skills You Need - Graphs and Charts
Develop your ability to present data clearly and effectively, using it to tell a story and communicate information in an engaging and appropriate way: Skills You Need - Presenting Data
For further resources, visit the Handling, Information and Data page of the Digital and Data Resource Hub. You might also want to consider joining the Knowledge, Information and Data (KIND) Learning Network. This is an inclusive and supportive community of practice with free training opportunities aimed at developing professional skills at all levels.
Level 3
Able to find, evaluate and use information and data
Level 3 - I can find, interpret, evaluate and present data from multiple different sources, manipulating and cleansing it as required. I critically assess the quality, limitations and potential biases of information and data, including outputs generated by artificial intelligence systems. I am proactive in the adoption of innovative new ways to utilise data to solve problems, make informed decisions and drive change relevant to my role.
Strengthen your ability to critically interpret data and statistics. Work through this short activity to explore how statistics can sometimes mislead, what can influence the conclusions drawn from data, and why issues such as correlation and causation matter: Open University - Using statistics in your research
Develop your understanding of how artificial intelligence works and how bias can influence AI systems and the data they use. Work through Modules 1, 2 and 3 of this course, covering AI fundamentals, bias in AI, and data and bias. Consider how these factors can affect the accuracy, reliability and fairness of AI-generated information: Open University - Trustworthy and Democratic AI
Use trusted sources alongside your critical appraisal skills. The Office for National Statistics provides a wide range of health and social care data that you can explore and compare when checking information or looking for evidence to support your work: ONS - Health and Social Care Data
Apply your understanding of data to practical service improvement. This guide introduces approaches that can help you use data tools to solve problems, make informed decisions and drive change: Shared Digital Guides - Steps to Improving Services Through Better Use of Data Tools
Consider how emerging technologies can create new opportunities to use and understand data. Explore examples of how generative AI and other developments could make it easier for people to publish, find and make sense of data: Open Data Institute - The Future of Data and AI
Broaden your understanding of how data can be used strategically to improve health and social care. Read the national strategy to explore the ambitions and priorities for making better use of data across Scotland: Scottish Government and COSLA - Health and Social Care Data Strategy
For further resources, visit the Handling, Information and Data page of the Digital and Data Resource Hub. You might also want to consider joining the Knowledge, Information and Data (KIND) Learning Network. This is an inclusive and supportive community of practice with free training opportunities aimed at developing professional skills at all levels.