Digital Methods for Social Science ― An Interdisciplinary Guide to Research Innovation

Social science research requires methods that are responsive to and congruent with contemporary social formations. Digital technologies present a challenge to which social researchers must rise, and in turn offer the chance to access, generate and analyse new information in new ways and address new research questions.

In response to this challenge, this interdisciplinary collection considers the quantitative and qualitative analysis of social media, addressing the contemporary concern with 'big data' but also the rich or 'thick data' available. It provides examples of research that has sought to explore digital methods through comparing and combining these with 'offline' or traditional approaches, and presents case studies that are both innovative in their use of new, existing and combined methods but also question the nature of innovation. It also develops some of the key challenges in mainstreaming digital methods, including debates in educational research, research with young people, and the ethical issues that digital and social researchers face.

Helene Snee is Lecturer in Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Her research explores stratification and socio-cultural change with a particular focus on young people and social class. She is author of A Cosmopolitan Journey? Difference, Distinction and Identity Work in Gap Year Travel.

Christine Hine is Reader in Sociology at the University of Surrey, UK, where her work focuses on the sociology of the Internet and the development of qualitative methods for technical settings, including ethnographic approaches which combine online and offline social contexts.

Yvette Morey is Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Behaviour Change and Influence at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. She conducts interdisciplinary research on young people, risk and participation in online and offline communities using digital methodologies.

Steven Roberts is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Monash University, Australia. His main area of expertise is the sociology of youth and the intersections of class and gender. He has published widely in international journals and is co/sole editor of three volumes with Palgrave.

Hayley Watson is Senior Research Analyst at Trilateral Research & Consulting, UK. She is author of several chapters and journal articles on ethical, legal and social considerations in the use of IT, including social media, for crisis management.