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Google Data & Social Sciences, ideas from Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

The last post concluded with the topic of  Big Data, New Data in reference to Seth Stephens-Davidowitz book "Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are" (featured in a NPR episode of Hidden Brain).

In digesting the assertions made with his book, I have been questioning the methods he used; it is important to question the validity and reliability of any findings after all. Especially insofar as confirmation bias is a feature of perception to contend with!

I just got the book in the mail and look forward to reading it. Stephen-Davidowitz offers much of his research on his website, he and Hal Varian even have a piece available there discussing ways for social scientists to make use of Google data called "Google Trends: A Primer for Social Scientists"

Another note: Facebook has a whole segment of their site dedicated to Privacy Settings including information about their Data Policy.

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