Maximizing the Data Literacy of the Air Force Contracting Workforce

Abstract

In recent years, the U.S. government has increased its focus on the value of data and its associated technical specialties, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. This mixed-method study answers the question: How should the U.S. Air Force (USAF) align workforce data literacy development to contracting knowledge, skills, and ability requirements to deliver the appropriate content for mission-focused business leaders? Once identified, it asks: What are the most effective time, modality, and metrics for the delivery of this content? The data was collected through in-depth reviews of literature, 18 open-ended interviews of participants with varying degrees of exposure to data literacy, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of 47 different data-literacy-focused adult education curriculums. The analysis resulted in a potential data literacy training roadmap for the USAF contracting career field to consider implementing. Future researchers can conduct more in-depth research into ideal metrics for data literacy curriculums, and after identifying them, can look at potential programs and modalities best suited to accomplish those metrics. Another vein of research could be a case study review of emerging government data literacy programs, how they are implemented, and whether USAF contracting professionals can participate in them.