This timely textbook addresses the growing demand for data-driven decision-making in education while tackling the pressing challenges of privacy, security, and ethical considerations that accompany our increasingly datafied educational environments. The authors establish robust research foundations through open science and FAIR principles, navigate the intricate responsibilities surrounding data privacy and governance, and implement practical infrastructure solutions for managing big data in educational settings. This textbook emphasizes the transformative potential of open science while providing concrete strategies for ensuring data quality, facilitating interoperability, and developing comprehensive data management plans. Applicable sections include hands-on exercises and practical scenarios that ground theoretical knowledge in real-world practice. The book challenges researchers, administrators, and educators to look beyond the big data and reconsider the fundamental concepts of data stewardship with a renewed sense of urgency.
