Open Data, Open Access and What They Mean for Applied Sociology

Data are necessary for robust social science but very expensive to collect. Current regulations limit the ability for public servants and researchers sharing their data with the public. What does the open data movement mean for applied sociologists? Here’s two brief case studies on what’s happening in the European Union and in the USA. Open Data inContinueContinue reading “Open Data, Open Access and What They Mean for Applied Sociology”

How to Read and Respond to Media Reports on Social Science

Andrew Gottlieb of The Psychology Lounge recently posted a useful article about the way the media misrepresents social science research. Although Gottlieb is a clinical psychologist, his analysis has relevance for applied sociology. I include his tips on how to identify the typical ways journalists misuse scientific data. I then discuss some of my ownContinueContinue reading “How to Read and Respond to Media Reports on Social Science”

Eastern Europe and Central Asia: the Need for Practical Skills-Based Learning

The World Bank has released a new report – Skills Not Just Diplomas, which presents a critical evaluation on the state of education in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the former Soviet Union. The report lends support for some of the goals of our applied social research network here at Sociology at Work – specificallyContinueContinue reading “Eastern Europe and Central Asia: the Need for Practical Skills-Based Learning”