The Great Gender Divergence

The Great Gender Divergence

Share this post

The Great Gender Divergence
The Great Gender Divergence
Clicking Culture: How Google Outsmarts Attitudinal Surveys
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Clicking Culture: How Google Outsmarts Attitudinal Surveys

Can new technology reveal what's really going on in Saudi Arabia??

Alice Evans's avatar
Alice Evans
Jul 24, 2024
∙ Paid
10

Share this post

The Great Gender Divergence
The Great Gender Divergence
Clicking Culture: How Google Outsmarts Attitudinal Surveys
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
2
1
Share

Imagine you’re a researcher who’s struck gold with a generous grant. Funds are flowing, and all methods are at your disposal. What data would you use to track cultural change?

Nationally representative attitudinal surveys are certainly valuable, and I regularly rely on evidence from the World Values Survey, Gallup, Pew, and Arab Barometer. But let me present 5 reasons for caution:

  1. Declining response rates

  2. Social desirability bias

  3. Answers varying depending on the interviewer

  4. Responses shifting if overheard

  5. Suppression of stigmatised topics

Collectively, these factors present a high risk of error. What’s the alternative? How can we get real-time, accurate insights into people’s genuine preferences.

What data would help us track what US voters really think, or Saudi Arabia’s cultural liberalisation?

The Great Gender Divergence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Alice Evans
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More