Surveys and big data are 'complementary, not competing data sources', says task force

The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR)’s big data task force has released a report outlining its recommendations for for the use of big data in relation to survey research.

The AAPOR Report on Big Data, prepared for the AAPOR Council, offers examples of different types of big data and their potential for survey research, as well as describing “the big data process” and its main challenges.

The report offers a number of recommendations, including the development of standards for the use of big data “when more knowledge has been accumulated”; that AAPOR should work with the private sector and other professional organisations to educate its members on big data; and that the public should be informed of the risks and benefits of big data.The report also advises that surveys and big data should be seen as complementary, not competing data sources. “There are differences between the approaches”, the report says, “but this should be seen as an advantage rather than a disadvantage.”http://www.research-live.com/4012904.article?utm_source=google&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=research-live.com