418 - Policy and Research Workshop. Big Data for Social Science Research: Availability, Accessibility and Research Possibilities

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Abstract

The Sociology Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) supports large-scale data infrastructure projects and basic research projects to construct and analyze “big data,” and develop new methods by which it can be studied. This session focuses on the research context, trade-offs, limitations, and promises of “big data” for basic social science research. Representatives from the NSF Sociology Program, its proposal review panels, and Principle Investigators (PIs) on NSF-funded big data projects will describe the accessibility, availability, sampling and operationalization techniques, potential for theory development, and examples of major research findings. The session is interactive; audience participation is encouraged.

(This session is part of this year's 22nd Annual ASA Research Support Forum.)

Sub Unit

• Policy and Research Workshop

Session Organizer

• Patricia E. White, National Science Foundation

Leader

• Patricia E. White, National Science Foundation

Co-Leaders

• Christopher A. Bail, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

• R. Saylor Breckenridge, National Science Foundation

• Joseph Galaskiewicz, University of Arizona

• Michael W. Macy, Cornell University