Exploring Quali-Quantitative Approaches in Social Media Research
When:
—
Venue:
TBC
This hands-on workshop with Dr Scott Rodgers and Dr Rob Topinka (CCC) will introduce you to 'quali-quantitative' approaches to researching social media. Quali-quantitative approaches move nimbly between qualitatively exploring the messy, contradictory phenomena often found in social media communication with the strategic use of computational tools to document and visualise larger-scale patterns of sociality. More than simply another term for mixed-methods, quali-quantitative approaches avoid treating social media as a transparent or neutral window to study social issues, problems or groups. Instead, these approaches take a perspective on social media as sociotechnical environments, where the computational logics and digital data that make up social media are relevant not only as methodological challenges, but as objects of and for study and conceptualisation.
The workshop will keep things relatively simple, hands-on and practical. You will learn how to use the Zeeschuimer browser extension to scrape data from one of a defined range of social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, 9gag, Imgur, Douyin, Gab, Truth Social, Threads, Pinterest, RedNote). Then, you will be introduced to the basic functions of the 4CAT social media analysis platform, before evaluating and applying at least some of its built-in processing tools.
Participation is open to Birkbeck staff and students (PGR, PGT and UG). If you would like to participate, in addition to booking a place here, you must apply by 26 June 2025 with a brief 100-150 word statement explaining your motivations for participating in this workshop. Send your statements of interest via email to Dr Scott Rodgers or Dr Rob Topinka. We will endeavour to include as many participants as possible, but may need to use these statements to prioritise participants if the event is oversubscribed.
Note that accepted participants will also be asked to review a preparatory website before the workshop, install some basic software, and bring your own computer on the day.
This event is co-organised by BIRMAC (Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture), the Media and Democracy Working Group, and the Qualitative Research Methods Group.
A light lunch and snacks will be provided. Please state any dietary requirements in the field provided.
Contact name: Rebekah Cupitt
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