Research Project

by Skyler Chen. This post discusses how my training in data science changed the way I think about behavioral research. I share how simply exploring everyday datasets and noticing small, unexpected patterns can spark new research questions, and how archival data and experiments each offer distinct yet complementary insights into how people make judgments and decisions. I also highlight the growing set of tools that help us understand behavior in richer ways.

by Sarah Daniel. Researchers increasingly recognize that neighborhoods profoundly shape life outcomes, yet measuring them remains challenging. A common approach uses administrative boundaries, such as census tracts, as proxies for neighborhoods, but this method presents three key challenges. First, administrative boundaries may fail to capture residents’ lived experiences, a limitation that is particularly concerning in marginalized communities; second, they can misrepresent contextual effects; and third, they may produce inconsistent findings. To address these issues, I advocate for the use of self-defined neighborhood boundaries as an alternative measure. I compare GIS- and non-GIS-based methods and propose that GIS-based methods offer the strongest potential for more valid measurement.

by Abby O'Neill. Are you an undergrad interested in getting involved in CS/DS research? This blog post gives some advice for navigating the Berkeley research landscape. It includes mentions of structured programs like DARE, URAP, and Data Science Discovery, as well as cold emailing strategies and using office hours effectively. The main takeaway: Know your why, don't filter yourself out, and focus on finding people and projects that align with your goals.

by Yue Lin. How do social science researchers conduct field experiments with private actors? Yue Lin provides a brief overview of the recent developments in political economy and management strategy, with a focus on filing field experiments within private corporations. Unlike conventional targets like individuals and government agencies, private companies are an emergent sweet spot for scholars to test for important theories, such as sustainability, censorship, and market behavior. After comparing the strengths and weaknesses of this powerful yet nascent method, Lin brainstorms some practical solutions to improve the success rate of field experimental studies. She aims to introduce a new methodological tool in a nascent research field and shed some light on improving experimental quality while adhering to ethical standards.