How Data Need People

How Data Need People, Volume 1, examines the critical intersection of digital technology and human agency within scientific research. Anthropologist Götz Hoeppe utilizes an ethnography of astronomical research to demonstrate how massive datasets require the active involvement of scientists, technicians, and administrators. This reference work explores the specific practices used to calibrate data, organize collaborative efforts, and navigate the ethics of open access.

The text analyzes the sociality of data-rich research, focusing on how human knowledge is encoded into digital systems. By blending anthropology and cultural studies, the author provides insights into the sociology and philosophy of science. This volume is a scholarly resource for those studying data science and science and technology studies, offering a detailed look at the integration of human and machine learning within the politics and social sciences.