Since long before computers were even thought of, data has been collected and organized by diverse cultures across the world. Once access to the Internet became a reality for large swathes of the world's population, the amount of data generated each day became huge, and continues to grow exponentially. It includes all our uploaded documents, video, and photos, all our social media traffic, our online shopping, even the GPS data from our cars. 'Big Data' represents a qualitative change, not simply a quantitative one. The term refers both to the new technologies involved, and to the way it can be used by business and government. Dawn E. Holmes uses a variety of case studies to explain how data is stored, analysed, and exploited by a variety of bodies from big companies to organizations concerned with disease control. Big data is transforming the way businesses operate, and the way medical research can be carried out. At the same time, it raises important ethical issues; Holmes discusses cases such as the Snowden affair, data security, and domestic smart devices which can be hijacked by hackers. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

About the Author
Dawn Holmes is a faculty member in the Department of Statistics and Applied Probability at the University of California, Santa Barbara, specializing in Bayesian networks, machine learning, and data mining. She is the co-editor of a three-volume work, Data Mining: Foundations and Intelligent Paradigms (Springer, 2014), and Associate Editor of the International Journal of Knowledge-Based and Intelligent Information Systems.

Reviews
Big data is in the news, and this excellent very short introduction brings the reader up to speed and enables them to understand the various components and implications. * Paradigm Explorer *
This is a very useful, concise introduction to the topic of big data. * Jonathan Cowie, Science Fact & Science Fiction Concatenation *
A very short introduction to a very big subject ... arguably the most topical of this book series ... This very short introduction is perfect for anyone who is a little bit baffled by the very concept of big data. Holmes introduces the subject in a format that is both concise and manageable. * Jade Taylor-Salazar, E&T Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198779575
Author Dawn E. Holmes
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 134g
Dimensions(mm) 172mm * 110mm * 8mm