Training

The Language of Data program provides training and ongoing mentoring for nurses and other healthcare providers to recognize, understand and use statistics in reported research results (the language of data). The training for research and improvement science teams is designed to accommodate the needs of learners in real-world clinical practice settings through multi-modality programmatic delivery (in-person, on-line and independent study).

Training in the Language of Data program is based on the principles of skill-based, participatory, adult learning (Knowles, 2000).Like the English language, the language of statistics and data is a simple system of words and symbol associations. Speaking the language requires learning these symbols and becoming familiar with their meaning. We developed the LOD toolkit using the pedagogical principles of Malcom Knowles to create a skill-based set of modules that support adult learning in practice-based settings.

Different from a traditional, didactic approach to statistics that describes the characteristics of data elements and the equations required to compute the ‘‘odds’’ or probabilities of an outcome, the Language of Data training uses a web-based platform that incorporates gaming and offers opportunities for “hands-on” learning in the clinical setting.

Our training program has been shown to significantly improve the recognition and interpretation of statistical symbols commonly used in reported research results.  For example, in two academic health system sites that used the Language of Data training program, knowledge (t=14.88, CI 15.56-23.98; p<0.0001), confidence (t=7.84, CI 17.48-26.93; p<0.0001), and accuracy (t=12.34, CI 11.98-18.47; p < 0.001) each improved following the program (Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 2017).

Knowles, M. S. (2000). What is Androgogy? In M. S. Knowles (Ed.), The Modern Practice of Adult Education: From pedagogy to andragogy (pp. 40-59). Engelwood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Regents - Cambridge.