A Systems Approach to Studying Online Communities
Much early communication research was inspired by systems theory. This approach emphasizes that individuals and groups use communication to interact with and respond to their larger environment and attempts to outline the ways that different levels interact with each other (e.g., work groups within...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cogitatio
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Media and Communication |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/5042 |
| _version_ | 1828522504022392832 |
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| author | Jeremy Foote |
| author_facet | Jeremy Foote |
| author_sort | Jeremy Foote |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Much early communication research was inspired by systems theory. This approach emphasizes that individuals and groups use communication to interact with and respond to their larger environment and attempts to outline the ways that different levels interact with each other (e.g., work groups within departments within firms). Many concepts from systems theory—such as emergence and feedback loops—have become integral parts of communication theories. However, until recently, quantitative researchers have struggled to apply a systems approach. Large-scale, multilevel trace data from online platforms combined with computational advances are enabling a turn back toward systems-inspired research. I outline four systems-based approaches that recent research uses to study online communities: community comparisons, individual trajectories, cross-level mechanisms, and simulating emergent behavior. I end with a discussion of the opportunities and challenges of systems-based research for quantitative communication scholars. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T20:09:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2294b2ed1fd745fe9fa724d6c137e000 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2183-2439 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T20:09:01Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | Cogitatio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Media and Communication |
| spelling | doaj.art-2294b2ed1fd745fe9fa724d6c137e0002022-12-22T00:52:20ZengCogitatioMedia and Communication2183-24392022-04-01102294010.17645/mac.v10i2.50422484A Systems Approach to Studying Online CommunitiesJeremy Foote0Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University, USAMuch early communication research was inspired by systems theory. This approach emphasizes that individuals and groups use communication to interact with and respond to their larger environment and attempts to outline the ways that different levels interact with each other (e.g., work groups within departments within firms). Many concepts from systems theory—such as emergence and feedback loops—have become integral parts of communication theories. However, until recently, quantitative researchers have struggled to apply a systems approach. Large-scale, multilevel trace data from online platforms combined with computational advances are enabling a turn back toward systems-inspired research. I outline four systems-based approaches that recent research uses to study online communities: community comparisons, individual trajectories, cross-level mechanisms, and simulating emergent behavior. I end with a discussion of the opportunities and challenges of systems-based research for quantitative communication scholars.https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/5042digital trace dataonline communitiesorganizational communicationsystems theory |
| spellingShingle | Jeremy Foote A Systems Approach to Studying Online Communities Media and Communication digital trace data online communities organizational communication systems theory |
| title | A Systems Approach to Studying Online Communities |
| title_full | A Systems Approach to Studying Online Communities |
| title_fullStr | A Systems Approach to Studying Online Communities |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Systems Approach to Studying Online Communities |
| title_short | A Systems Approach to Studying Online Communities |
| title_sort | systems approach to studying online communities |
| topic | digital trace data online communities organizational communication systems theory |
| url | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/5042 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeremyfoote asystemsapproachtostudyingonlinecommunities AT jeremyfoote systemsapproachtostudyingonlinecommunities |