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How Can Big Data Science Transform the Psychological Sciences?

Part of: Current Debate in Psychology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2020

Betsy H. Albritton Open the ORCID record for Betsy H. Albritton [Opens in a new window]  and
Scott Tonidandel Open the ORCID record for Scott Tonidandel [Opens in a new window]
Betsy H. Albritton*
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (USA)
Scott Tonidandel
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (USA)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Betsy H. Albritton. University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 28223–0001 Charlotte, North Carolina (USA). E-mail: ealbritt@uncc.edu
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Abstract

Big data and related technologies are radically altering our society. In a similar way, these approaches can transform the psychological sciences. The goal of this commentary is to motivate psychologists to embrace big data science for the betterment of the field. Big data sources, algorithmic methods, and a culture that embraces prediction has the potential to advance our science, improve the robustness and replicability of our research, and allow us to focus more centrally on actual behaviors. We highlight these key transformations, acknowledge criticisms of big data approaches, and emphasize specific ways psychologists can contribute to the big data science revolution.

Keywords

algorithmsbig datadata sciencedeep learningmachine learning
Type
Review Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 23 , 2020 , e44
Copyright
© Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2020

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Footnotes

Conflicts of Interest: None

Funding Statement: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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