research.edgeryders.eu: methodology

We have developed our own, unique methodology, called Semantic social network analysis. It combines ethnographic coding and graph mathematics. Here is how it works.

  • Convene large-scale online conversations, with hundreds of participants and thousands of contributions.
  • Perform ethnographic coding directly in-platform, and transform the conversation into structured data.
  • Instantly visualize the associations across ethno codes, and the interaction across participants.
  • Use the power of graphs to make inference about how the conversation’s “collective brain” perceives the issue under discussion.
  • Integrated workflow supported by open source software.
  • GDPR compliance and personal data minimization.
  • Consent funnel for ethically acquiring informed consent to participating in research.
  • Our 2020 journal paper.
  • See the video below for an intuitive dynamic visualization.

Semantic Social Network Analysis is a collection of techniques to convene, manage and analyze online conversations with hundreds of participants and thousands of contributions. We perform ethnographic coding of contributions directly in-platform, and transform the conversation into structured data; next, we use the power of graphs to combine all contributions into a single map of the conversation’s “collective brain”.

Our workflow is integrated (one database) and relies on open source software. It is GDPR-compliant and minimizes the personal data collected almost to zero. We have created a consent funnel ethically acquiring informed consent to participating in research.

Read more in our 2020 journal paper.