ABSTRACT
This chapter defines data literacy as a critical competency for today’s researchers and outlines the key skills and mindsets it entails. Data literacy is presented as the ability to access, interpret, manage, and communicate data effectively, going beyond technical know-how to include critical thinking about data provenance, quality, and bias. The chapter discusses why data literacy is increasingly important in the data-rich research environment and identifies core competencies (such as critical evaluation of data sources, technical data manipulation skills, and ethical data handling). It also examines challenges in cultivating these skills, including educational gaps and institutional barriers, and suggests strategies for integrating data literacy training into doctoral programs. By emphasizing data literacy as foundational, the chapter argues that future scholars must be fluent in “reading and writing” data to conduct rigorous and relevant research.
