Cyber society, Big Data, and evaluation: A future perspective

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book indicates that evaluators so far have been reluctant or ignorant to recognize and utilize Big Data. Big Data is being used both as a mean to capture difficult-to-map features of society and as a cheaper or more accurate substitute for more conventional data sources, such as census data and labor market data. To achieve meaningful coproduction is, however, not a challenge that can be met by evaluators alone. It is also a challenge for commissioners of evaluations, since it may require new management competence practices. Also with a focus on prediction, the United Nations Global Pulse suggests the use of Big Data to protect communities from multiple slow-onset crises. Evaluators have a lot to learn on the technical level, including how to work with Big Data sources, highly complex analytical procedures, and algorithm development.