A-Z of Digital Research Methods

This accessible, alphabetical guide provides concise insights into a variety of digital research methods, incorporating introductory knowledge with practical application and further research implications. A-Z of Digital Research Methods provides a pathway through the often-confusing digital research landscape, while also addressing theoretical, ethical and legal issues that may accompany each methodology.

Dawson outlines 60 chapters on a wide range of qualitative and quantitative digital research methods, including textual, numerical, geographical and audio-visual methods. This book includes reflection questions, useful resources and key texts to encourage readers to fully engage with the methods and build a competent understanding of the benefits, disadvantages and appropriate usages of each method.

A-Z of Digital Research Methods is the perfect introduction for any student or researcher interested in digital research methods for social and computer sciences.

Contents

Introduction

1. Agent-based modelling and simulation
2. Audio analysis
3. Big data analytics
4. Business analytics
5. Cluster analysis
6. Coding and retrieval
7. Computer modelling and simulation
8. Computer-assisted interviewing
9. Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS)
10. Data analytics
11. Data collection and conversion
12. Data mining
13. Data visualisation
14. Digital ethnography
15. Digital storytelling
16. Digital visual methods
17. Educational data mining
18. Ethno-mining
19. Eye-tracking research
20. Game analytics
21. Geospatial analysis
22. HR analytics
23. Information retrieval
24. Learning analytics
25. Link analysis
26. Live audience response
27. Location awareness and location tracking
28. Log file analysis
29. Machine learning
30. Mobile diaries
31. Mobile ethnography
32. Mobile methods
33. Mobile phone interviews
34. Mobile phone surveys
35. Online analytical processing
36. Online collaboration tools
37. Online ethnography
38. Online experiments
39. Online focus groups
40. Online interviews
41. Online observation
42. Online panel research
43. Online questionnaires
44. Online research communities
45. Predictive modelling
46. Qualitative comparative analysis
47. Research gamification
48. Researching digital objects
49. Sensor-based methods
50. Smartphone app-based research
51. Smartphone questionnaires
52. Social media analytics
53. Social network analysis
54. Spatial analysis and modelling
55. Video analysis
56. Virtual world analysis
57. Wearables-based research
58. Web and mobile analytics
59. Webometrics
60. Zoning and zone mapping

Catherine Dawson is a freelance researcher and writer specialising in the use and teaching of research methods. She has taught research methods courses at universities in the UK, completed a variety of research projects using qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches, and written extensively on research methods and techniques.