Critical data studies: An introduction

Critical Data Studies (CDS) explore the unique cultural, ethical, and critical challenges posed by Big Data. Rather than treat Big Data as only scientifically empirical and therefore largely neutral phenomena, CDS advocates the view that Big Data should be seen as always-already constituted within w...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inBig data & society Vol. 3; no. 2
Main Authors Iliadis, Andrew, Russo, Federica
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.10.2016
SAGE Publishing
Subjects
Critical Data Studies
Big Data
data science
data ethics
data subjects
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Critical Data Studies (CDS) explore the unique cultural, ethical, and critical challenges posed by Big Data. Rather than treat Big Data as only scientifically empirical and therefore largely neutral phenomena, CDS advocates the view that Big Data should be seen as always-already constituted within wider data assemblages. Assemblages is a concept that helps capture the multitude of ways that already-composed data structures inflect and interact with society, its organization and functioning, and the resulting impact on individuals’ daily lives. CDS questions the many assumptions about Big Data that permeate contemporary literature on information and society by locating instances where Big Data may be naively taken to denote objective and transparent informational entities. In this introduction to the Big Data & Society CDS special theme, we briefly describe CDS work, its orientations, and principles.
ISSN:2053-9517
2053-9517
DOI:10.1177/2053951716674238