Care Socie e Cari Soci,
vi segnaliamo le sessioni dei nostri colleghi di sezione che si terranno nella prossima conferenza internazionale dell’RC 33 dell’ISA. L’Eleventh International Conference on Social Science Methodology si terrà tra il 22 e il 25 settembre a Napoli presso l’Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”.
Al seguente link ulteriori informazioni riguardo la conferenza.
Elenco Sessioni AIS MET Conferenza RC33
Social Network Analysis as a methodological tool for Science and Technology Studies: Challenges, opportunities, perspectives (Serino, Picardi, Agodi) (N.47)
Panel Session
The field of Science and Technology Studies (STS) covers different traditions and approaches that share a focus on how science and technology are enmeshed in society and how this latter is, indeed, made of them. Actor-network theory (ANT) has become popular in STS as a theory-method tool apt to handle the subtleties of the relationships between human and non-human actors. In ANT, agency is an emergent property of the networks and inter-relationships between heterogeneous actants, humans and non-humans (principle of generalised symmetry). This view is eminently relational, but the way such relationality can be empirically translated has often resulted in controversies regarding the status and operability of the notions of “actors”, “associations”, and “networks”. Ethnography has been the preferred methodological strategy for data collection in ANT research, while for long time Social Network Analysis (SNA) was considered quite at odds with ANT. Nonetheless, fruitful applications of network analysis (though not necessarily “social”) are testified in different studies of science and technology and come up with “heterogeneous maps” formed by human and non-human entities. In addition, other relational perspectives familiar to STS scholars may work well with SNA, as is the case with the social world framework, which may consist of discursive universes based on shared objects and meanings. Hence, the proposed panel aims at welcoming contributions that offer diverse theoretical or empirical assessment of the use of SNA in STS, with an eye to addressing the relevant challenges in such a dialogue and attempting to open new avenues for social research.
Keywords: Social Network Analysis, Science and Technology Studies, Actor-Network Theory, Social worlds
Marco Serino, University of Naples Federico II, marco.serino@unina.it, Italy
Ilenia Picardi, University of Naples Federico II, ilenia.picardi@unina.it, Italy
Maria Carmela Agodi, University of Naples Federico II, agodi@unina.it, Italy
Online communities as a research object (Decataldo, Andreoni) (N. 1)
Panel Session
This session aims to foster reflection on studying online communities as spaces of interaction where physical and virtual dimensions interweave, highlighting the mutual influence between these contexts. The web represents a unique environment in which individual and collective identities are redefined through interactions and dynamics that shape identities and create and reproduce shared meanings. This setting allows us to observe how interests, perceptions, and values emerge and transform through digital interaction. The concept of “onlife” captures the essence of this integration of physical and virtual reality, rejecting a sharp distinction between real and online spaces and acknowledging their deep interconnection in everyday life.
In both qualitative and quantitative studies, numerous epistemological and methodological challenges arise throughout each research phase, requiring flexible and innovative approaches. To effectively study digital fields, traditional methodologies must be adapted, and emerging technologies must be explored and introduced to develop techniques and tools for digital field research.
An essential topic to address is the ethical issues of online research. Data and information collection through the web raises questions about privacy, informed consent, and participant safety, requiring careful consideration and the development of clear strategies to safeguard users and conduct ethically sound research.
This panel session invites contributions dedicated to studying online communities, with a particular focus on methodological choices, promoting a collective reflection on the opportunities and challenges posed by traditional, on one side, and innovative research tools in these contexts.”
Keywords: Online, Communities, Onlife, Methodological challenges, Ethical issues
Alessandra Decataldo, Università di Milano Bicocca, Italy, alessandra.decataldo@unimib.it
Elena Andreoni, Università di Milano Bicocca, Italy, elena.andreoni@unimib.it Italy
Research on experts, research with experts. Methodological implications and solutions. (Galligani, Martire, Sena)
Panel Session
The role of expertise is increasingly crucial in understanding complex social issues in research fields characterised by continuous and disruptive changes, such as AI & other ICTs, health, sustainability, etc., (Ward et al., 2019).
Experts are increasingly determinant in shaping policy innovations, either by participating in epistemic communities, which frame relevant problems and related knowledge-based solutions, or by intervening directly as policy advisors (Eyal & Medvetz, 2023). In these contexts, sociological research deals with the social processes of construction and legitimisation of expertise (of individuals and groups) and how it performs an authoritative function in society (Evans, 2008).
Moreover, experts’ knowledge also could be a promising source of information in the research process (i.e. experts as participants) in order to identify barriers and enabling factors and anticipate or evaluate impacts of change mechanisms in complex social systems.
However, research on and with experts also involves several methodological challenges. The first and foremost is the appropriate definition of what ‘expertise’ is, and thus who ‘experts’ are, and how to select them for research purposes. Then, it is necessary to design effective strategies to involve experts in the research process, to decide how to conduct the discussion between the participants, and if prioritize consensus or divergences among opinions (or both).
The session welcomes contributions that address, theoretically and/or empirically, methodological issues, techniques and applications of studying expertise in different sociological fields and/or involving experts as participants in sociological research designs.
Keywords: Expertise, Consensus methods, Expert group methods
Ivan Galligani, University of Bergamo, ivan.galligani@unibg.it, Italy
Fabrizio Martire Sapienza, University of Rome, fabrizio.martire@uniroma1.it, Italy
Barbara Sena, University of Bergamo, barbara.sena@unibg.it, Italy
Methodological Challenges and Approaches for Sociodigital Research (Halford, Aragona, Coleman) (N.13)
Panel Session
The history of research methods in Sociology is closely tied to the changing nature of the empirical world that we study and concurrent shifts in the conceptual frameworks used to investigate this world.
The progressive embedding of digital data, devices and infrastructures within the social world is a defining feature of the 21st Century, to date, that shows no sign of slowing. Relatedly, current theorizations emphasise the ongoing intra-action of ‘the social’ and ‘the digital’. The separation of ‘the social’ from ‘the digital’ becomes an ontological ‘cut’, rather than a self-evident fact.
Taking this ‘sociodigital’ world seriously poses some significant methodological challenges in all phases of the research process, from the selection of the objects of study to data construction, analysis and outputs. Our panel will explore the methodological challenges of this ‘sociodigital’ world, and the methods that sociologists can use and develop to advance these in their research. Topics might include (but are not constrained to):
- How to research sociodigital intra-actions
- How to research live/lively and emergent sociodigital phenomena
- How to conduct engaged and participatory sociodigital research?
- How to research sociodigital practices across sites, scales and infrastructures
- How to explore emergent sociodigital futures, as well as pasts and presents
We welcome exploration of the contribution that conventional, non-digital and digital methods might make to researching sociodigital phenomena, as well as consideration of innovative, engaged and creative methods that entail collaboration with engineering, arts and humanities, and those that facilitate interventions with non-academic partners (e.g. in communities, government and industry).
Keywords: sociodigital futures, theory, methodology, methods
Susan Halford, University of Bristol, susan.halford@bristol.ac.uk, UK
Biagio Aragona, Federico II, University of Naples, aragona@unina.it, Italy
Rebecca Coleman, University of Bristol, rebecca.coleman@bristol.ac.uk, UK
Mixed Methods at the Digital Turn: How Digital is Reshaping Mixed Methods Research (Addeo, Punziano) (N. 36)
Panel Session
The digital turn, which has been unfolding over the past two decades, has profoundly influenced the ways in which social scientists conceive and conduct research. While initial predictions of a radical paradigm shift have not fully materialized, the epistemological and methodological frameworks of social research have undergone significant transformations. The advent of digital technologies has introduced novel challenges and opportunities, prompting a re-evaluation of traditional research methods and the integration of new, digitally oriented approaches. This evolving landscape underscores the importance of revisiting Mixed Methods Research (MMR) in light of the digital turn.
The digital turn has expanded the repertoire of tools and techniques available to social scientists. The rise of “Digital Methods” reflects a methodological innovation that leverages the affordances of digital technologies to study social phenomena. Digital methods encompass a diverse array of tools and techniques, including web scraping, social network analysis, digital ethnography, and computational text analysis. These methods enable researchers to explore the vast and heterogeneous data generated by digital platforms, often referred to as “digital traces”. These traces include text, images, videos, hyperlinks, and metadata, which collectively present unprecedented opportunities for understanding social behaviour and cultural dynamics.
The digital turn raises questions about the ontological and epistemological underpinnings of social research. How do digital traces reshape our understanding of social reality? To what extent do digital methods align with or diverge from traditional epistemological frameworks? These considerations lead immediately to methodological limitations. Digital methods often rely on large-scale data, which may obscure contextual nuances. The integration of qualitative approaches within MMR can help address this limitation, but it also necessitates careful consideration of methodological coherence. Moreover, last but not least, it remains the core of the discussion the ethical concerns and the data quality and validity issues. The use of digital data raises ethical issues related to privacy, consent, and data ownership. Researchers must navigate these challenges while adhering to ethical guidelines and ensuring the integrity of their work. The heterogeneity of digital data, again, poses challenges for ensuring data quality, validity, and reliability. MMR frameworks must incorporate rigorous validation techniques to address these concerns
Recent literatures and empirical researches shows the flexibility and inclusivity of MMR making it particularly well suited for navigating the challenges posed by digital data and methods.
In the context of the digital turn, MMR offers advantages in terms of epistemological synergies (MMR enables researchers to bridge the divide between qualitative and quantitative paradigms, fostering a holistic understanding of social phenomena); methodological innovation (the combination of digital and traditional methods enhances the analytical depth and breadth of social research; for instance, digital ethnography can be complemented by computational text analysis to provide both granular and large-scale insights), and practical applicability (MMR facilitates the triangulation of findings, enhancing the validity and reliability of research outcomes).
By adopting a mixed methods framework, researchers can navigate these hybrid spaces effectively, capturing the nuances of social phenomena as they unfold across multiple environments. Moreover, the integration of mixed methods facilitates the combination of digital and non-digital data types. The variety of data available today—ranging from textual and visual digital traces to traditional survey responses and ethnographic notes—demands innovative approaches to synthesis and analysis. A mixed methods perspective ensures that these heterogeneous data sources are not only juxtaposed but also critically interrogated to uncover deeper insights. From an analytical and theoretical standpoint, the use of mixed methods encourages the blending of interpretative and analytical perspectives. This approach fosters the development of a critical digital sociology that is both reflective and aware of its epistemological and methodological choices. By engaging with multiple theoretical lenses and analytical strategies, researchers can challenge existing assumptions and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the social world.
This panel invites contributions that critically engage with the intersection of Mixed Methods Research and the digital turn. We seek to explore the following thematic areas:
- Epistemological Reflections: How has the digital turn influenced the epistemological foundations of MMR? What theoretical frameworks can guide the integration of digital methods within MMR?
- Methodological Strengths and Weaknesses: What are the methodological advantages and limitations of digital mixed methods? How can researchers effectively combine traditional and digital approaches?
- Interactions Between Traditional and Digital Methods, Scenarios and Analytical Perspectives: How can traditional methods, scenarios and analytical perspectives complement the digital ones within MMR frameworks? What synergies can be achieved through their integration?
- Ethical Issues: What ethical considerations arise in the context of digital mixed methods research? How can researchers address these challenges while maintaining methodological rigor?
- Data Quality, Validity, and Reliability: How can researchers ensure the quality and validity of digital data within MMR frameworks? What strategies can be employed to enhance the reliability of research findings?
This panel aims to foster a critical and constructive dialogue on the role of Mixed Methods Research in addressing the challenges and opportunities of the digital turn. By examining the theoretical, methodological, and ethical dimensions of digital mixed methods, we hope to contribute to the development theoretical and empirical insights that will shape the future of social research. We invite scholars, practitioners, and students to join us in this exploration, sharing their experiences and perspectives on the evolving landscape of Mixed Methods Research in the digital era.
Felice Addeo, Università degli Studi di Salerno, faddeo@unisa.it, Italy
Gabriella Punziano, Università Federico II di Napoli, gabriella.punziano@unina.it, Italy
Algorithm Awareness and Literacy Research: Methodological Innovations, Challenges, and Future Perspectives (Felaco, Catone, Ambrosio) (N. 5)
Panel Session
Algorithms are deeply embedded in contemporary society, shaping diverse aspects of daily life, from social interactions and online recommendations to decision-making across various sectors. While these systems offer significant benefits, such as improved efficiency and personalization, they also pose considerable challenges regarding privacy, fairness, and individual and collective autonomy. As a result, understanding algorithms and their role in governing digital technologies has become both a social and technical imperative.
Despite the growing interest in algorithm awareness in the literature, studies offering methodological reflections still need to be expanded. Recent research, however, has introduced innovative techniques to investigate algorithm awareness and actively elicit it. Among these, Human-Computer Interaction and Explainable Artificial Intelligence experiments aim to co-create awareness by fostering interactions between users and algorithmic platforms. Similarly, creative qualitative methods engage individuals in understanding algorithmic systems through active participation, while scenario-based methods elicit reflections on algorithmic processes and their societal implications. These methods also serve a pedagogical function, fostering digital and algorithmic literacy.
This session is open to all contributions addressing methodological advancements in algorithm awareness research, as well as innovative approaches, methods, and techniques that provide evidence of its multidimensional aspects and can promote literacy development.
Contributions addressing the following topics are welcome (but not limited to):
– Methods for measuring aspects of algorithm awareness.
– Cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding algorithm awareness.
– Case studies on algorithmic literacy initiatives and their societal impact.
– Best practices for integrating algorithm literacy into formal and informal learning contexts.
Keywords: algorithm awareness, algorithmic literacy, human and algorithms interactions
Cristiano Felaco, University of Naples Federico II, cristiano.felaco@unina.it, Italy
Maria Carmela Catone, University of Salerno, mcatone@unisa.it, Italy
Caterina Ambrosio, University of Naples Federico II, caterina.ambrosio@unina.it, Italy
Machine Learning and Social Research: Methodological Challenges and Innovative Applications (Amato, Miracula) (N. 43)
Panel Session
In recent years, Machine Learning (ML) has become a central tool in social sciences, offering advanced tools to analyse complex and multidimensional data, such as those from social media or IoT sensors (Mazzeo Rinaldi, F., Celardi, E., Miracula, V., & Picone, A., 2025) These methods allow the identification of hidden relationships and patterns, improving the predictive capabilities of social research. However, using ML raises methodological questions, such as the validity and generalizability of models and ethical issues related to the risk of algorithmic bias.
This session will explore how ML can be integrated into quantitative and qualitative approaches, innovating traditional analysis methods. Among the topics covered will be the applications of ML to build predictive models of complex phenomena, analyse unstructured data, and generate new hypotheses in large datasets (Felaco, Amato & Aragona, 2024). The session will provide an opportunity to reflect on the potential and limits of ML, promote an interdisciplinary dialogue, and contribute to methodological innovation in social sciences.
Submissions may address but are not limited to:
-Automated Data Processing: Using ML for data collection, cleaning, and imputing missing data to enhance reliability.
-Data Triangulation: Combining ML and qualitative methods, like sentiment analysis, to enrich research.
-Mixed Strategies: Integrating diverse datasets with algorithms to analyse complex social phenomena.
-Explainable AI: Applying XAI to interpret and increase transparency in complex models.
-Ethical Analysis: Addressing the ethical risks of black box models, especially for vulnerable groups.
-Language Models: Using LLMs to analyse public discourse, detect fake news, and study political rhetoric.
Keywords: Machine learning, Innovative methods, Explainable AI, Hybrid approaches
Francesco Amato, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, francesco.amato2@unina.it, Italy
Vincenzo Miracula, Università di Catania, vincenzo.miracula@phd.unict.it, Italy
Innovative network analysis applications in social sciences (Deriu, Mazziotta) (N.31)
Panel Session
Network analysis is particularly well-suited to addressing the complexity and interconnections that characterise contemporary society, offering advanced analytical tools to explore relationships among actors, phenomena, and variables in the social sciences. This panel aims to discuss innovative network analysis-based solutions for tackling emerging methodological challenges, with a specific focus on their originality and practical applicability.
A key example is the use of network analysis in constructing weighting systems for composite indicators, often employed to measure complex phenomena such as sustainability, social well-being, poverty, and polycrises. By analysing the structure and morphology of networks, it becomes possible to identify the relative importance of variables based on their strategic position within a web of interdependencies.
Another area of application is the study of echo chambers in social media, where network analysis enables the mapping of user clusters and the examination of opinion polarisation. These techniques not only facilitate a deeper understanding of opinion formation dynamics but also support the design of interventions to counter disinformation.
The panel will also explore innovative approaches such as multilayer networks, which integrate data from diverse sources, and the application of machine learning algorithms for predictive analysis of social networks. Theoretical contributions and empirical case studies are welcome, offering fresh perspectives on the study of complex phenomena and highlighting the transformative impact of adopting this approach in the social sciences.
Keywords: network analysis, eco-chamber, composite indicators, polycrises
Fiorenza Deriu, Sapienza University of Rome, fiorenza.deriu@uniroma1.it, Italy
Matteo Mazziotta, ISTAT, mazziott@istat.it, Italy