What's the big deal about big data?

Abstract

This position paper is based on a major cooperative research and development proposal to form a Big Data Research, Analytics, and Information Network (BRAIN). Challenges presented by Big Data research are introduced and several projects are sketched in four important Big Data research theme areas, the solutions of which will further decision making in these areas of investigation. The four themes are large-scale data analytics and cloud computing, computational biology, health informatics, and interactive content analytics. These theme areas are certainly not inclusive, rather indicative of the wide variety to which Big Data now occupies decision analytics. The importance of training highly qualified personnel (HQP), knowledge mobilization and novelty are discussed.