A Significant Difference: Improving Teaching and Learning of Statistics and Data Science by Growing Levels of Inquiry by Statistics and Data Science Educators

The field of statistics and data science education research needs to grow to meet the demands of the increased importance of statistical literacy to an educated society and workforce. This article describes a progression of inquiry starting at the level of Teaching and moving through to the levels of the Scholarship of Teaching and Education Research. Examples of each level of inquiry are provided from the statistics and data science education literature and suggestions for academics, for example, faculty, graduate students, or instructors, who want to move between inquiry levels are provided. Academics interested in statistics and data science education can use this paper to identify their current level of inquiry, select their preferred level of inquiry, and then use the suggestions provided to move their work into their preferred level of inquiry. The goal of this paper is to inspire more academics to engage in inquiry around the teaching and learning of statistics and data science education to expand and improve statistics and data science instruction on a broader scale.