Applying big data beyond small problems in climate research
Author / Producer
Date
2019-03
Publication Type
Review Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
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Rights / License
Abstract
Commercial success of big data has led to speculation that big-data-like reasoning could partly replace theory-based approaches in science. Big data typically has been applied to ‘small problems’, which are well-structured cases characterized by repeated evaluation of predictions. Here, we show that in climate research, intermediate categories exist between classical domain science and big data, and that big-data elements have also been applied without the possibility of repeated evaluation. Big-data elements can be useful for climate research beyond small problems if combined with more traditional approaches based on domain-specific knowledge. The biggest potential for big-data elements, we argue, lies in socioeconomic climate research.
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Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
9 (3)
Pages / Article No.
196 - 202
Publisher
Nature
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Climate-change impacts; Climate sciences; Interdisciplinary studies; Philosophy
Organisational unit
09576 - Bresch, David Niklaus / Bresch, David Niklaus
03777 - Knutti, Reto / Knutti, Reto
Notes
It was possible to publish this article open access thanks to a Swiss National Licence with the publisher.
Funding
167215 - Combining theory with Big Data? The case of uncertainty in prediction of trends in extreme weather and impacts (SNF)
Related publications and datasets
Is part of: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000399735