Bridging the Micro and Macro in the Study of Online Communication and Activism

克雷格·詹金斯俄亥俄州立大学安德鲁·马丁这项研究考察了当代背景下在线激进主义的组织。这解决了当前文献中的一个关键空白，即将在线激进主义与其他动员过程分开对待。我们的主要假设是：1)在线激进主义嵌入到现有的社交网络中，因此反映了在线积极分子在其他背景下发展起来的网络和社会承诺；2)框架反映了这些网络和承诺，这些网络和承诺塑造了群体的战略沟通的共鸣；以及3)围绕这些预先存在的网络进行信息传递和策略的群体在动员更广泛的公众支持公共倡议方面更有效。这项研究使用俄亥俄州的监管举措作为这些论点的主要试验台：a)对线上和线下活动人士进行调查；b)分析与这些努力相关的Twitter消息中的框架；c)检查这些沟通的网络结构及其与竞争对手群体动员努力的链接；以及d)将上述动态与公众舆论和举措的结果联系起来。调查人员还将俄亥俄州的推特网络与威斯康星州的类似活动进行了比较，以确认与其他在线活动的相似性。这解决了现有在线激进主义和传播研究中的几个主要空白：更广泛的社区网络如何影响Twitter传播的内容和传播？线上和线下的网络联系是否平等或互动地促进了社区和个人层面的激进主义？线上和线下沟通如何影响公众舆论和倡议成果？这些问题的答案将加强我们对在线激进主义如何适应当代激进主义的更广泛背景的理解，并为研究传播产生新的文本分析工具。更广泛的影响这项研究的主要影响将是为关于在线传播在激进主义领域的增长、组织和影响的跨学科研究提供信息。这项研究将有助于理解在线通信内容和网络如何与线下通信和网络相互作用，并嵌入其中，以塑造动员。该项目还将为研究在线交流的社会科学家提供新的文本分析工具。此外，该项目还为直接参与研究的研究生提供培训。

SES- 1324367Craig JenkinsAndrew MartinOhio State UniversityThis study examines the organization of online activism in a contemporary context. This addresses a key gap in current literature, which treats online activism in isolation from other mobilization processes. Our key hypotheses are: 1) Online activism is embedded in existing social networks and hence reflects the networks and social commitments online activists have developed in other contexts, 2) framing reflects these networks and commitments which shape the resonance of groups' strategic communications, and 3) groups that gear their messaging and tactics around these preexisting networks are more effective at mobilizing broader public support for public initiatives. This study uses regulatory initiatives in Ohio as its primary testbed for these arguments by: a) conducting surveys of online and offline activists; b) analyzing framing in the Twitter messages associated with these efforts; c) examining the network structure of these communications and their links to mobilization efforts of the rival groups; and d) linking the above dynamics to the public opinion and the outcomes of the initiatives. The investigators also compare this Ohio Twitter network to parallel initiatives in Wisconsin to confirm the similarity to this other online activity. This addresses several major gaps in existing studies of online activism and communications: How do the broader community networks influence the content and diffusion of Twitter communications? Do online and offline network ties equally or interactively facilitate activism at both the community and individual levels? How do online and offline communications affect public opinion and initiative outcomes? The answers to these questions will strengthen our understanding of how online activism fits in the broader context of contemporary activism as well as generate new text analysis tools for studying communications. Broader ImpactsThe major impact of this study will be to inform the interdisciplinary study of the growth, organization and impact of online communications in the arena of activism. This study will enable understanding of how online communication content and network interacts with, and are embedded in, offline communications and networks to shape mobilization. The project will also generate new textual analysis tools for social scientists studying online communications. Additionally, the project provides training for graduate students who are directly involved in the research.