By: Maureen Coffey

Maureen Coffey — Fri, 08 May 2015 12:14:48 +0000

“… according to one study of mobile phone location data one’s future location is 93% predictable …” This is quite astonishing in itself. I could imagine that with additional trace data this could eventually be propelled towards the 99% threshold. However, there is one fascinating facet of all “big” data analysis: that of the “missing data”. This phone example works for those instances where people USE their phones (at all and frequently). Same with the election example – you can so far interpret how those who DO use certain sites will -statistically- be predisposed towards further actions. The real Orwellian “dictator” will be born out of the interpretation of the “voids” that are left out in these reams of data and draw the right conclusions from the absence of an observable behavior. The more other people deliver big data, the more obvious these voids will eventually become, I believe.

Comments on: Tracing our every move: Big data and multi-method research

By: Maureen Coffey