Big Data Is not just a New Type, but a New Paradigm

TL;DR

This paper argues that big data represents a new paradigm in data analysis, fundamentally different from small data like census data, especially in terms of data characteristics and analytical approaches.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of big data as a new paradigm, emphasizing its fundamental differences from small data in geospatial analysis and data analytics.

Findings

Big data differs from small data in data characteristics.

Big data requires different analytical methods.

Big data has implications for geographic information systems.

Abstract

This paper is a first draft of the introduction to the special issue on volunteered geographic information published in Computers, Environment and Urban Systems (2015, 53, 1-122). In this short paper, I put georeferenced big data (hereafter, big data) such as tweets locations in comparison with small data such as census data in terms of data characteristics, and further argued that big data differs fundamentally from small data in terms of data analytics, both geometrially and statistically. I would like to thank my colleague Dr. Jean-Claude Thill, who expanded the draft towards a broader scope.