Data Digest – Digital Trace Data: Social Media and Internet Analytics, DSI@UTM

Description:

In the Information Age, Digital Trace Data has become an important for researchers address social processes and problems. Digital Trace Data refers to the traces that are left across the internet as humans communicate, coordinate, gather information, and manage their daily lives. These data can include information scraped from websites, social media posts, metadata from online communication, and analytics provided by search engines and other websites. Digital Trace Data has provided important insights into a variety of social concerns including public health, relational processes,  well-being, public opinion, and policy. However, over time digital trace data has become increasingly difficulty to procure as technology companies increasingly reduce API access and tighten policies regarding scraping and other data collection techniques. This Data Digest will explore current faculty research using Digital Trace Data, the current state of access to Digital Trace Data, and feature a presentation by a prominent social media company regarding research access to their Content Library.