Paper Short Abstract:

This paper explores the methodological challenges of digital folklore research on TikTok, addressing data volatility, algorithmic influence, and research ethics. Using "real vampire" Storytime videos as a case study, it explores strategies for conducting research in this dynamic, trend-driven digital space.

Paper Abstract:

The primary aim of this study is to address the methodological challenges faced by folklorists when researching TikTok. Key concerns include navigating TikTok’s fluid, trend-driven nature, managing the collection and preservation of ephemeral data, and addressing questions of research ethics when studying personal data and user engagement, particularly whether viral content can be treated as part of the public domain for research purposes when presented in contexts like academic articles or conferences. The Storytime-style videos examined in this study, rich in orality and immediacy, while personal in nature, add to the methodological issues by touching upon the delicate matter of belief. Comment sections are vital for observing diverse reactions and understanding how extraordinary experiences are received or contested. TikTok’s algorithm shapes research by curating content based on user interests, influencing visibility and raising questions about data representativeness. Such interactions enrich the study of belief narratives, offering essential context for how extraordinary experiences are received and contested. Further complicating research are TikTok’s algorithmic mechanisms, which influence the visibility and circulation of belief-based narratives, raising questions about the representativeness of the data. By navigating these challenges, this paper demonstrates some thoughts on how TikTok reshapes methodological approaches to digital folklore research.