In this episode, Tom Emery and Ethan Busby discuss the implications of the introduction of large language models (LLMs) and AI to social science research. Surveys on extremism, conflict and polarisation are hard to study using surveys due to high sensitivity and sample specificity, but can we use large language models (LLMs) to address these challenges? The discussion involves the following main ponts:

• What can LLMs and AI, in general, tell us about society?
• How easy was the collaboration of social and computational scientists?
• What is algorithmic fidelity? Why do social scientists using LLMs and AI in research need this?
• How can we work with such a rapidly growing tool?
• What are the potential uses of LLMs and AI within social science research? And how can it be used within survey research?

Affiliations:

Dr. Ethan Busby, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA

Dr. Tom Emery – Director of ODISSEI, the Dutch National Infrastructure for Social Science; Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration and Sociology of Erasmus University, Rotterdam

Useful links:

Argyle, L. P., Busby, E. C., Fulda, N., Gubler, J. R., Rytting, C., & Wingate, D. (2023). Out of one, many: Using language models to simulate human samples. Political Analysis, 31(3), 337-351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/pan.2023.2

In this episode, Dr. Tom Emery discusses the WorldFAIR project and FAIR principles implementation with regard to survey research methods with Dr. Steve McEachern, focusing on several key points:

• What are the FAIR principles, and why are they important?
• What challenges arise when implementing FAIR principles in survey research?
• What is machine actionability, and how does it relate to survey research?
• How do FAIR principles apply to cross-cultural surveys?
• How can we make data accessible for machines?
• What potential advancements will the full implementation of FAIR principles bring to future research?

Affiliations:

Dr. Steve McEachern – Director and Manager of ADA (Australian Data Archive)

Dr. Tom Emery – Director of ODISSEI, the Dutch National Infrastructure for Social Science; Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration and Sociology of Erasmus University, Rotterdam

Useful links:

The WorldFAIR Project

In this podcast episode of our newly introduced series, Dr. Tom Emery, Director of ODISSEI and Associate Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam engages in a comprehensive exploration of an ambitious birth cohort study spanning across Europe. Joined by esteemed guest Professor Gary Pollock from Manchester Metropolitan University, the discussion focuses on examining the intricate process of setting up a longitudinal study aimed at the dynamics of child well-being in the evolving landscape of digital technologies.

The conversation delves into the methodological challenges embedded in setting up such a study, touching upon the formulation of research questions, overcoming methodological challenges, and pioneering innovative approaches in questionnaire development. Through this dialogue, listeners gain valuable insights into the complexities inherent in longitudinal research design and the nuanced considerations essential for navigating the contemporary terrain of child well-being research.

Affiliations:

Prof. Gary Pollock – Manchester Metropolitan University, Co-Director of Survey Infrastructure for Growing Up In Digital Europe (GUIDE)

Dr. Tom Emery – Director of ODISSEI, the Dutch National Infrastructure for Social Science; Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration and Sociology of Erasmus University, Rotterdam

Useful links:

Growing up in Digital Europe (GUIDE)

Cohort Community Research and Development Infrastructure Network for Access Throughout Europe (COORDINATE)

In the ESRA (European Survey Research Association) Podcast Series, dr. Tom Emery, the director of ODISSEI (Open Data Infrastructure for Social Science and Economic Innovations in the Netherlands) and associate professor at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, connects with the leading experts in survey research to get an understanding of the field development. 
In the first episode, dr. Tom Emery is joined by Bella Struminskaya, Associate Professor at the Department of Methodology & Statistics at Utrecht University. Together they discuss the usage of apps and devices in survey research.