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The Consequences of Promoting Data Literacy Among Graduate Students

Author

Listed:
  • Fort, Margherita

    (University of Bologna)

  • Loviglio, Annalisa

    (University of Bologna)

  • Tinti, Susanna

    (University of Bologna)

Abstract

We study the impact of a program designed to enhance data literacy on graduate students’ skills and academic outcomes in a large Italian university. The program (i.e. a minor) targets students who are expected to have weak quantitative competences and offers 120-hours training focused on improving the ability to interpret and process data, in addition to the regular courses of the master program in which students are enrolled (i.e. their major). The admission process to the minor is characterized by rationing, resolved by random assignment of available slots to applicants. Exploiting the resulting exogenous variation for identification, we find that the program largely improved digital literacy of participants with low pre-treatment levels of numeracy. Despite the additional effort required by the program, we can rule out any slowdown in the progress of the academic career in the major master program of participating students.

Suggested Citation

  • Fort, Margherita & Loviglio, Annalisa & Tinti, Susanna, 2025. "The Consequences of Promoting Data Literacy Among Graduate Students," IZA Discussion Papers 17803, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17803
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hendrickje Catriona Windisch, 2015. "Adults with low literacy and numeracy skills: A literature review on policy intervention," OECD Education Working Papers 123, OECD Publishing.
    2. Chise Diana & Fort Margherita & Monfardini Chiara, 2021. "On the Intergenerational Transmission of STEM Education among Graduate Students," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 21(1), pages 115-145, January.
    3. Bordon, Paola & Fu, Chao, 2015. "College-Major Choice to College-Then-Major Choice," MPRA Paper 79643, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Paola Bordon & Chao Fu, 2015. "College-Major Choice to College-Then-Major Choice," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 82(4), pages 1247-1288.
    5. Hanushek, Eric A. & Schwerdt, Guido & Wiederhold, Simon & Woessmann, Ludger, 2015. "Returns to skills around the world: Evidence from PIAAC," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 103-130.
    6. Michela Carlana & Margherita Fort, 2022. "Hacking Gender Stereotypes: Girls' Participation in Coding Clubs," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 112, pages 583-587, May.
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    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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