Pew Research Center’s Data Labs uses computational methods to complement and expand on the Center’s existing research agenda. The team collects text, network, and behavioral datasets, uses innovative computational techniques and empirical strategies for analysis, and generates original research. Data Labs also explores the limitations of these data and methods, and works toward establishing standards for use and analysis. Learn more about Data Labs here. The Data Labs team also contributes to the Center’s Decoded blog, which examines the “how” behind our numbers – including lessons learned in computational social sciences.
Men Appear Twice as Often as Women in News Photos on Facebook
Photos that exclusively show men make up the majority of photos that show people; representational differences persist across topics
Sizing Up Twitter Users
Twitter users are younger, more likely to identify as Democrats, more highly educated and have higher incomes than U.S. adults overall.
Gender and Jobs in Online Image Searches
Men are overrepresented in online image search results for popular jobs. Women appear lower on the page than men in many of these searches.
How far Americans live from the closest hospital differs by community type
Rural Americans live an average of 10.5 miles from the nearest hospital, compared with 5.6 miles for people in suburban areas and 4.4 in urban areas.
Members of both parties find meaning in family but differ when it comes to faith
Partisan differences are modest among Americans who mention family, career, money or friends as aspects that make their lives meaningful.
Americans who find meaning in these four areas have higher life satisfaction
Four topics are universally associated with higher levels of life satisfaction: a person’s good health, romantic partner, friends and career.
Many Turn to YouTube for Children's Content, News, How-To Lessons
An analysis of Youtube videos suggested by the site's recommendation engine finds that users are directed toward progressively longer and more popular content
Moderates in Congress go local on Facebook more than the most ideological members
For the average moderate legislator, about 54% of a member’s Facebook posts discussed local issues between 2015 and 2017. But for the average very liberal or very conservative legislator, just 38% of posts dealt with local issues.
'Anger' topped 'love' when Facebook users reacted to lawmakers' posts after 2016 election
The U.S. congressional Facebook audience used the “angry” button in response to lawmakers’ posts nearly 14 million times following the 2016 election.
Taking Sides on Facebook: How Congressional Outreach Changed Under President Trump
Democratic legislators’ opposition to political adversaries on Facebook spiked after Trump’s election, while "angry" reactions to posts by members of Congress increased among followers.
