Qualitative Analysis

Enhancing Research Transparency Inspired by Grounded Theory

April 30, 2024
Farnam Mohebi
by Farnam Mohebi. Grounded theory, a powerful tool for qualitative analysis, can enhance data science research by improving transparency and impact. Researchers can create a vivid record of their process by meticulously documenting the entire research journey, including the decisions they make and the corresponding rationale behind them, from initial data exploration to developing and refining theories. Embracing grounded theory principles, such as iterative coding and constant comparison, can help data scientists build robust, data-driven theories while ensuring transparency throughout the research process. This approach makes research more replicable and understandable and invites others to engage with the work, fostering collaboration and constructive critique, ultimately elevating the value and reach of their findings.

Conceptual Mirrors: Reflecting on LLMs' Interpretations of Ideas

April 23, 2024
María Martín López
by María Martín López. As large language models begin to engrain themselves in our daily lives we must leverage cognitive psychology to explore the understanding that these algorithms have of our world and the people they interact with. LLMs give us new insights into how conceptual representations are formed given the limitations of data modalities they have access to. Is language enough for these models to conceptualize the world? If so, what conceptualizations do they have of us?

Transparency in Experimental Political Science Research

April 9, 2024
Kamya Yadav
by Kamya Yadav. With the increase in studies with experiments in political science research, there are concerns about research transparency, particularly around reporting results from studies that contradict or do not find evidence for proposed theories (commonly called “null results”). To encourage publication of results with null results, political scientists have turned to pre-registering their experiments, be it online survey experiments or large-scale experiments conducted in the field. What does pre-registration look like and how can it help during data analysis and publication?

Introduction to Propensity Score Matching with MatchIt

April 1, 2024
Alex Ramiller
by Alex Ramiller. When working with observational (i.e. non-experimental) data, it is often challenging to establish the existence of causal relationships between interventions and outcomes. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) provides a powerful tool for causal inference with observational data, enabling the creation of comparable groups that allow us to directly measure the impact of an intervention. This blog post introduces MatchIt – a software package that provides all of the necessary tools for conducting Propensity Score Matching in R – and provides step-by-step instructions on how to conduct and evaluate matches.

US Census Bureau Restricted-Access Research Data Center (FSRDC) Info Session

April 24, 2024, 11:00am
Interested in restricted Census or partnering RDC agency (AHRQ, BLS, BEA, NCHS) data use? This one-hour introductory workshop will provide an overview of the Berkeley Federal Statistical Research Data Center, with no prior experience assumed. Attendees will learn about the national RDC network, how to access information online about restricted Census data, and how to navigate proposal development.

Using Big Data for Development Economics

March 18, 2024
Leïla Njee Bugha
by Leïla Njee Bugha. The proliferation of new sources of data emerging from 20th and 21st century technologies such as social media, internet, and mobile phones offers new opportunities for development economics research. Where such research was limited or impeded by existing data gaps or limited statistical capacity, big data can be used as a stopgap and help accurately quantify economic activity and inform policymaking in many different fields of research. Reduced cost and improved reliability are some key benefits of using big data for development economics, but as with all research designs, it requires thoughtful consideration of potential risks and harms.

Survey Fundamentals

April 11, 2024, 3:00pm
This two-hour workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to designing and conducting survey studies. Tailored for beginners, it provides clear, step-by-step guidance complemented by concise examples, practical considerations, and useful support materials. Participants will learn the entire process, from formulating a research question to creating, administering, and analyzing surveys, as well as interpreting results and communicating their findings.

Creating the Ultimate Sweet

January 30, 2024
Emma Turtelboom
by Emma Turtelboom. What is the best Halloween candy? In this blog post, we will identify attributes of popular sweets and create a model to understand how these attributes influence the popularity of the sweet. We’ll discuss alternative model approaches and potential drawbacks, as well as caveats to interpreting the predictions of our model.

Survey Fundamentals

February 21, 2024, 1:00pm
This two-hour workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to designing and conducting survey studies. Tailored for beginners, it provides clear, step-by-step guidance complemented by concise examples, practical considerations, and useful support materials. Participants will learn the entire process, from formulating a research question to creating, administering, and analyzing surveys, as well as interpreting results and communicating their findings.

Berkeley FSRDC Fundamentals

January 31, 2024, 11:00am
Interested in restricted Census or partnering RDC agency (AHRQ, BLS, BEA, NCHS) data use? This one-hour introductory workshop will provide an overview of the Berkeley Federal Statistical Research Data Center, with no prior experience assumed. Attendees will learn about the national RDC network, how to access information online about restricted Census data, and how to navigate proposal development.