Evaluating the Usefulness of Big Data to Glacier National Park Management
Syrgak Uluu A, McGinley O, Clowes I, Shaw E. 2022. Evaluating the Usefulness of Big Data to Glacier National Park Management. E-project-101222-193638. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Glacier National Park (GNP) is interested in whether big data can improve its current data collection and analysis methods. However, GNP management does not know whether big data will be useful. Our team used a big data provider, Zartico, to examine Park management’s concern. We assessed usefulness with three criteria: credibility, labor-intensiveness, and relevance. An application of the criteria indicates that GNP management’s needs are not entirely addressed by big data. We review how big data might and might not be used. Finally, we suggest how GNP management can think critically about a big data provider before investing in one.