Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • May 8, 2020
  • Article
  • Harvard Business Review (website)

Which Covid-19 Data Can You Trust?

By: Satchit Balsari, Caroline Buckee and Tarun Khanna
  • Format:Electronic
ShareBar

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a tidal wave of data, but how much of it is any good? And as a layperson, how can you sort the good from the bad? The authors suggest a few strategies for dividing the useful data from the misleading: Beware of data that’s too broad or too narrow, that comes from unvetted technologies, and models produced without relevant experts. Conversely, look for transparency, thoughtfulness, experts, and open platforms, all of which are signs that the producers of the data have faith in their claims, are aware of their blind spots, and are open to having their work checked by other researchers.

Keywords

COVID-19 Pandemic; Health Pandemics; Analytics and Data Science

Citation

Balsari, Satchit, Caroline Buckee, and Tarun Khanna. "Which Covid-19 Data Can You Trust?" Harvard Business Review (website) (May 8, 2020).
  • Register to Read

About The Author

Tarun Khanna

Strategy
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • June 2025
    • Faculty Research

    Jaipur Literature Festival 2024

    By: Tarun Khanna and Samir Junnarkar
    • May–June 2025
    • Organization Science

    Why Should Organizational Scholars Study Migration?

    By: Exequiel Hernandez, Prithwiraj Choudhury, Elena Kulchina, Dan Wang, J. Miles Shaver, Mary Zellmer-Bruhn and Tarun Khanna
    • April 2025
    • Faculty Research

    Aramco: Navigating the Energy Transition

    By: Tarun Khanna and Samir Junnarkar
More from the Authors
  • Jaipur Literature Festival 2024 By: Tarun Khanna and Samir Junnarkar
  • Why Should Organizational Scholars Study Migration? By: Exequiel Hernandez, Prithwiraj Choudhury, Elena Kulchina, Dan Wang, J. Miles Shaver, Mary Zellmer-Bruhn and Tarun Khanna
  • Aramco: Navigating the Energy Transition By: Tarun Khanna and Samir Junnarkar
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College.