Exploratory Models in a time of Big Data

Maja Mazur, Ed Manley
2016 Interdisciplinary Science Reviews  
This paper aims to trigger discourse about the emergence of a new type of social scientific model -Exploratory Models -models which draw on Big Data, computer modelling methods and interdisciplinary research to tackle increasingly complex social scientific processes. First, define Exploratory Models referring to Batty and Morgan and Morrison. We then present major changes introduced by Big Data and computer modelling to the traditional modelling paradigm. We show how Exploratory Models
more » ... t challenges related to social phenomena's idiosyncrasy, complexity, selfreflectivity and acceleration, which restrain predictive effectiveness of traditional social scientific models. We then show that Exploratory Models are better equipped to tackling interdisciplinary complex problems due to their capacity to process heterogeneous, even contradictory datasets. Having established that Exploratory Models are predominantly problem-and data-driven, we emphasize that scientific theory is indispensable to the progress of Exploratory Models. Finally, the development of an integrative platform for Exploratory Models is suggested as a way of maximizing the benefits of this approach, acknowledging the challenges to the proposed platform and to Exploratory Models in general. Discussion concludes by flagging areas for further research.
doi:10.1080/03080188.2016.1257196 fatcat:bydrvjtxcjay3jby4jbtclfr7q