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 accurate, current and relevant. 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
This online article describes the four most common types of graphs or charts and explains how to use each of these to share and understand data: Skills You Need - Graphs and Charts
Find out more about various different types of charts and graphs and when you might use them: Indeed - A Guide to the Different Types of Charts and Graphs
Guidance on how best to present your data, using it to tell a story and make it as engaging as possible: 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 and evaluate information and data from multiple different sources, manipulating and cleansing it as required. I use data to solve problems, make informed decisions and drive change relevant to my role. I am proactive in the adoption of innovative new ways to utilise or securely share data.
This guide covers practical solutions to help you solve problems, make informed decisions and drive change: Shared Digital Guides - Steps to Improving Services Through Better Use of Data Tools
To help you learn how to evaluate online information and data, this course will teach you how to recognise and combat misinformation and disinformation: Alison - Fact or Fiction: Mastering the Art of Information Integrity
A useful source of reliable health and social care data is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website: ONS - Health and Social Care Data
Generative AI can help close the data divide, allowing anyone, not just those with specialist skills, to publish, find, and make sense of data. Have a look at this online information to explore innovative new ways of using data: Open Data Institute - The future of Data and AI
To understand the strategic vision and help you use data to drive change, have a look a this strategy document: 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.
