Quantitative Analysis: How to Make Sense of Political Data without Information Overload

Data is a driving force of the modern election cycle. Analysts pore over millions of data points, deconstruct the numbers, and perform extensive quantitative analysis, all hoping to understand voters better than their rivals.

But while AI and big data have transformed how elections are strategized and won, that same technology is also responsible for the era of deepfakes and global disinformation campaigns. How can we make sense of the data when it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not?

“There were 5 exabytes of information created between the dawn of civilization through 2003, but that much information is now created every two days.” — Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman at Google

The sheer scale of information that makes it into the public arena during election season can be enormously overwhelming. For those who don’t make a living interpreting statistics, trends, and polls, this can be confusing and anxiety-producing.

Data can help us make informed decisions. It can provide clarity, be used for reasoning, and give confidence in our decision-making, but it can also feel overwhelming.

Navigating the data that emerges during election season doesn’t have to be an information overload. Try these tips to stay informed without burning out:

1. Set a time limit on screen time: It’s all too easy to get pulled down the rabbit hole and read story after story. As we might limit our time on social media, set a firm boundary on our political data consumption to avoid endless doomscrolling and data fatigue.
2. Be selective about sources: Not all data is created equally. Choose trustworthy media sources. Seek out fair, impartial, and credible news outlets rather than those sharing outrageous data or provocative claims as clickbait. Try to avoid media outlets known to have clear political leanings one way or the other.
3. Use data visualization tools for more straightforward analysis: It’s difficult for the brain to process endless words and numbers. Look for reputable sources such as the Pew Research Centre that use tools like infographics, graphs, and charts to make it easier to understand important points.
4. Define priorities: To avoid being engulfed in too much data, define what is important to you. Whether that’s LGBQT+ rights, healthcare, or employment, prioritize the issues that matter most when reviewing policy proposals and media articles.
5. Develop media literacy skills: Misinformation, propaganda, and fake news can be hard to spot. To feel confident in the information we consume, practice a few media literacy habits such as fact-checking statements and verifying the authenticity of information before sharing it online.

The dizzying world of digital distraction and data manipulation is intended to overwhelm and confuse the public. The bottom line is that there is no way to avoid lousy information altogether. We can learn to decipher credible sources, fact-check, and limit our exposure to the media circus.

Like what you’re reading? Want more consciously prepared brain food?

Listen to this Harvesting Happiness episode: Quantitative Reasoning: Deconstructing Political Data with Anthony Fowler PhD, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide to Restoring Common Sense and Sanity in a Crazy World — produced in collaboration with renowned, fair-minded subject matter experts who provide strategies that enhance critical thinking, increase civic engagement, and foster healthy pleasure to boost personal well-being and relationship satisfaction.

Take an even deeper dive with More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness on Substack and Medium.

GUEST BIO: Anthony Fowler PhD is a Harris School of Public Policy professor at the University of Chicago. He conducts quantitative research on elections and politics.

He is a co-author of Thinking Clearly with Data, an editor of the Quarterly Journal of Political Science, and a host of Not Another Politics Podcast — launched and produced through the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, providing a fresh perspective on the most significant political stories by focusing on research and data, not pundits and politicians.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment or indicate a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.