Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Connelly, Roxanne
• Playford, Christopher J.
• Gayle, Vernon
• Dibben, Chris

Titel

The role of administrative data in the big data revolution in social science research

Ist Teil von

• Social science research, 2016-09, Vol.59, p.1-12

Ort / Verlag

United States: Elsevier Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2016

Quelle

Access via ScienceDirect (Elsevier)

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• The term big data is currently a buzzword in social science, however its precise meaning is ambiguous. In this paper we focus on administrative data which is a distinctive form of big data. Exciting new opportunities for social science research will be afforded by new administrative data resources, but these are currently under appreciated by the research community. The central aim of this paper is to discuss the challenges associated with administrative data. We emphasise that it is critical for researchers to carefully consider how administrative data has been produced. We conclude that administrative datasets have the potential to contribute to the development of high-quality and impactful social science research, and should not be overlooked in the emerging field of big data. •The meaning of big data is ambiguous.•There are many types of big data which offer distinct research opportunities.•Administrative social science data are particularly valuable.•The use of administrative data will place increased burden on the researcher.•The quality and accuracy of administrative data needs to be carefully evaluated.