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Data Integration and Data Fusion

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Measuring Development 2020

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Participants learned how new sources of “big” data–including call detail records, satellites, and remote sensing networks–are changing the landscape of global development, while offering timely research opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis. These data sources are particularly valuable to researchers and decision-makers as they provide data at a much higher frequency and lower marginal cost than traditional surveys. While big data and survey data can each be useful on their own, hybrid approaches that enrich big data with survey data enable exciting new analytical opportunities.

In an environment where traditional forms of field-based data collection will be constrained for the foreseeable future, it is particularly important to highlight non-traditional methods for collecting and analyzing data related to international development.

  • Headshot of Joshua Blumenstock
    Joshua Blumenstock
    CEGA Faculty Co-Director and Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley’s School of Information

    Blumenstock uses new methods to analyze large-scale behavioral datasets, often stitching together network communication data with satellite data and ground-truth survey data to better understand human and economic development in poor and marginalized regions.

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Measuring Development (VI): Data Integration and Data Fusion

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