Comparison of Perceived Data Skills of Quantity Surveying Undergraduates and Graduates in Malaysia

Abstract

The technological innovation is driving the future workforce proficient with a new set of data skills. Quantity Surveyors being one of the key actors in the construction industry have no exception. This paper aims to explore how the quantity surveying undergraduates and graduates perceived their own level of data skills possessed and their stances on data skills to be taught in quantity surveying programmes. Five categories of data skills namely, data collection, data processing, data analysis, data ethics and data privacy have been synthesised from 30 data skills through the literature reviewed. The questionnaire survey participated by 574 of undergraduates and graduates shows the self-perceived level of data skills in descending order are data collection, data processing, data analysis, data privacy and data ethics, which are differing with the stances on the data skills to be taught by the higher education institution, i.e. data analysis, data collection, data ethics, data processing and data privacy. Data analysis skill is mostly expected to be enhanced in the QS programme. The findings can be served as an input to the providers of QS programmes to enhance the course curriculum, particularly on the digital skill.