dattitude

Dattitude is a neologism used to describe an approach to data interpretation and decision making that blends data literacy with a critical, constructive attitude toward evidence. The term is a portmanteau of data and attitude and is primarily found in discussions among data scientists, business analysts, and educators. Its exact origin is unclear, but it began appearing in online analytics communities and blogs in the 2010s as a shorthand for a disciplined mindset rather than a set of tools.

Core principles of dattitude include emphasizing data quality, transparency, and reproducibility; asking deliberate questions about sources, methods, and uncertainty; weighing competing explanations; and aligning analyses with ethical considerations and organizational goals. Practitioners seek to balance openness to new information with rigorous evaluation, and they value collaboration between domain experts and data specialists.

In practice, dattitude manifests in behaviors such as preregistration of analyses, documentation of data cleaning steps, clear citation of data provenance, and a willingness to revise conclusions in light of new evidence. It also supports governance practices that promote fairness, accountability, and explainability in data-driven work.

Critics argue that dattitude can become a buzzword that signals attitude more than method, with vagueness hindering concrete implementation. Proponents counter that, when well defined, dattitude complements technical skills by embedding skepticism, transparency, and ethical consideration into everyday analytics.

See also: data literacy, data-driven decision making, critical thinking, data governance, data ethics.