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Data and Society
A Critical Introduction
- Anne Beaulieu - University of Groningen, Netherlands
- Sabina Leonelli - University of Exeter, UK
Courses:
Introductory Sociology
Introductory Sociology
March 2022 | 272 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Data and Society: A Critical Introduction investigates the growing importance of data as a technological, social, economic and scientific resource. It explains how data practices have come to underpin all aspects of human life and explores what this means for those directly involved in handling data.
The book
- fosters informed debate over the role of data in contemporary society
- explains the significance of data as evidence beyond the "Big Data" hype
- spans the technical, sociological, philosophical and ethical dimensions of data
- provides guidance on how to use data responsibly
- includes data stories that provide concrete cases and discussion questions.
Grounded in examples spanning genetics, sport and digital innovation, this book fosters insight into the deep interrelations between technical, social and ethical aspects of data work.
Section 1: Data in Society
Chapter 1: Data in Society
Section 2: Data Creation
Chapter 2: Big Data in Context
Chapter 3: Characteristics of Data
Chapter 4: Data, Evidence and Knowledge
Section 3: Data Circulation
Chapter 5: Putting Data to Work
Chapter 6: New Data Skills
Chapter 7: Governance of Data Journeys
Section 4: Data Value, Innovation and Responsibility
Chapter 8: Data as a Source of Value
Chapter 9: Data Justice and Ethics
Chapter 10: Responsible Use of Data as Evidence
Section 5: Conclusion: Data and the Knowledge We Need
Chapter 11: Towards Good Data Science
This is a very helpful resources in teaching students the beginnings of critical social data science. The structure is simple and intuitive and the book has a good coverage of ethics. I will adopt it for my module.
Department of Sociology, Lancaster University
June 2, 2023
