Measuring Data Interpretation Proficiency: The Case of College of Arts and Sciences

Abstract

This study assessed the data interpretation proficiency of third-year students in the College of Arts and Sciences of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College during the first semester of academic year 2025–2026. Using a descriptive and developmental research design, the study involved 395 respondents selected through stratified sampling. Data were gathered through a researcher-made 50-item achievement test and a checklist survey designed to determine students’ proficiency and the challenges encountered in interpreting quantitative and qualitative data. The instruments were validated by experts and obtained validity and reliability scores of 4.59 and 0.87, respectively. Data were analysed using frequency counts and percentages. Findings showed that students demonstrated a satisfactory level of proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative data interpretation, with mean scores of 12.68 and 12.92, respectively, and an overall mean score of 25.60. The results indicate that students possess basic functional competence in interpreting research data but require further support in higher-order analytical, inferential and interpretive skills. The most common quantitative challenges involved understanding statistical concepts, applying formulas and selecting appropriate statistical tools. In qualitative interpretation, students mainly struggled with identifying themes and summarising detailed responses. Based on these findings, the study proposed A Students’ Guide to Data Interpretation as a supplementary instructional booklet to support guided, practice-based learning.