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Big Data and Trust in Public Policy Automation

Author

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  • Waggoner Philip D.

    (University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA)

  • Kennedy Ryan

    (University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA)

  • Le Hayden

    (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA)

  • Shiran Myriam

    (University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA)

Abstract

Big data is everywhere, both in and out of public policy. Though a rich data source, what is the impact of big data beyond the research community? We suggest such that invoking big data-related terms acts as a heuristic for assumed algorithmic quality. Such an assumption leads to greater trust in automation in public policy decision-making. We test this “big-data-effect” expectation using four tests including a conjoint experiment embedded in a recently fielded survey experiment. We find strong evidence that indeed, big data-related terms act as powerful signals of assumed quality where respondents consistently prefer algorithms with bigger data behind them, absent any mention of predictive accuracy or definitions of key terms (e.g. “training features”). As we expect this big-data-effect is likely not beholden to public policy, we encourage more research in this vein to deepen an understanding of the influence of big data on modern society.

Suggested Citation

  • Waggoner Philip D. & Kennedy Ryan & Le Hayden & Shiran Myriam, 2019. "Big Data and Trust in Public Policy Automation," Statistics, Politics and Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 10(2), pages 115-136, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:statpp:v:10:y:2019:i:2:p:115-136:n:3
    DOI: 10.1515/spp-2019-0005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Enrico di Bella & Lucia Leporatti & Filomena Maggino, 2018. "Big Data and Social Indicators: Actual Trends and New Perspectives," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 135(3), pages 869-878, February.
    2. Jacob M. Montgomery & Brendan Nyhan & Michelle Torres, 2018. "How Conditioning on Posttreatment Variables Can Ruin Your Experiment and What to Do about It," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 62(3), pages 760-775, July.
    3. Jacob M. Montgomery & Santiago Olivella, 2018. "Tree‐Based Models for Political Science Data," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 62(3), pages 729-744, July.
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