DIALOGUE: Integration of Dynamic Consensus Analysis of Social Media (DCASM) with Handheld-Based Ultra-Rapid Data Collection

This proposal is to extend into Phase II our development of Dynamic Consensus Analysis of Social Media (DCASM) as a means of rapidly uncovering latent information in critical scenarios. The objective of Phase II, is to build upon our significant technical achievements in Phase I and integrate DCASM with Apps for Rapid Epidemiological Assessment (AREA) a handheld ultra-rapid data collection app developed under a separate ONR SBIR Phase II program. DCASM capabilities are built on advanced computational methodologies adapted from social science to create new algorithms that can process massive amounts of social media data, differentiate signal from noise, and reliably identify emergent topics and crises. AREA provides a direct means for rapid public data collection through a handheld app with integrated support for advanced collection methodologies. By integrating DCASM and AREA into DIALOGUE, the resulting system will synergistically combine social media data and public data collection. DIALOGUE will be used for both listening to the public and querying the public; it will represent a product which truly opens a dialogue with the public, and will provide comprehensive capabilities for understanding and engaging with populations using data collected from both survey and social media.