Abstract and Keywords
In this chapter, the author reviews some of the philosophical issues that arise in connection with the concept of data. He first asks what data are, and he evaluates a number of different answers to this question that have been given. The author then examines the concept of so-called big data and the corresponding concept of big science. It has been claimed that the advent of big science calls for a fundamental change to science and scientific methodology. The author argues that such claims are too strong. Finally, the author reviews the distinction between data and phenomena, due to Bogen and Woodward 1988, and discusses some of its connections to big data and big science.
Keywords: data, information, interpretation, phenomena, big data, big science
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