Join the editors for an introductory lecture and panel on big data and social science at the Joint Statistical Meetings in Chicago on Monday, August 1, 2016: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Big Data have the potential to fundamentally change the way federal statistics are produced and disseminated. Most obviously, data types and coverage, timeliness, usability, and, of course, cost. If statistical agencies are to retain their unique role as the trusted source of statistics, they must reconsider the way data are being generated and used, lest they produce data that fail to meet user expectations and/or are too costly. Fortunately, statisticians are responding to this call to action.