Paper short abstract:

In this paper I argue for the benefits, or even the need, to apply a mixed method approach to researching digital practices in online environments. I propose a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in order to deepen our analysis and understanding of cultural phenomena and practices.

Paper long abstract:

In this paper I will argue for the benefits, and even need, to apply a mixed method approach to researching digital practices in online environments. I would propose a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, which allows you to capture and interpret phenomena that are not detectable with a single method, and a single set of interpretive models. The results and interpretations that can be reached with one method might remain veiled when applying another one. By combining qualitative and quantitative methods, we can deepen our analysis and understanding of cultural phenomena and practices.

On Twitter, hashtags (#) can be used as a way to label and sort tweets. One way to read and analyze a specific discussion on Twitter is for instance to follow a hashtag, collect and code the tweets according to their content. But a close reading of data collected is difficult if a discussion contains thousands of tweets; in this case, it is not possible to examine the distribution of power in a network, for instance. For that a quantitative, computer supported, analysis is needed. When comparing the number of tweets sent, received, the re-tweets, etc., a pattern emerges that can question and complement a content-based analysis.

This approach will be illustrated in this paper, based on experiences from three studies with twitter data - all dealing with communicative patterns centered on specific twitter hashtags. In all three studies a quantitative approach reveals alternative patterns of communication and authority hidden in a qualitative reading of the twitter stream.