Data diaries: A situated approach to the study of data. Issue 1 (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tkacz, Nathaniel; Henrique da Mata Martins, Mário; Porto de Albuquerque, João; Horita, Flávio; Dolif Neto, Giovanni
• Is Part Of: Big data & society. Volume 8:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Data diary -- datafication -- data space -- data interface -- situation -- critical data studies -- data methods; Big data -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Data mining -- Periodicals; 300.28557
• DOI: 10.1177/2053951721996036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-9517

Abstract

This article adapts the ethnographic medium of the diary to develop a method for studying data and related data practices. The article focuses on the creation of one data diary, developed iteratively over three years in the context of a national centre for monitoring disasters and natural hazards in Brazil (Cemaden). We describe four points of focus involved in the creation of a data diary – spaces, interfaces, types and situations – before reflecting on the value of this method. We suggest data diaries (1) are able to capture the informal dimension of data-intensive organisations; (2) enable empirical analysis of the specific ways that data intervene in the unfolding of situations; and (3) as a document, data diaries can foster interdisciplinary and inter-expert dialogue by bridging different ways of knowing data.