Authors: Catherine Coloma and Ramon Erdem-Sanchez

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital research, methodologies are instrumental in unlocking the vast potential of data sourced from online platforms. Researchers, functioning as architects of the digital frontier, explore realms such as social networking sites, web scraping, and dynamic content, shaping the narrative of knowledge acquisition in unprecedented ways. The vastness, diversity, and rapid growth of Big Web Data present challenges for individual researchers and teams, making manual collection and organization nearly impossible and impractical (Krotov and Tennyson 2018; Krotov and Silva 2018). Consequently, researchers frequently turn to tools and technologies, collectively known as web scraping, to automate processes involved in data collection and organization from the web (Krotov and Tennyson 2018; Krotov and Silva 2018). However, the ethical and legal dimensions of data extraction and analysis impose a critical duty on researchers to navigate the digital terrain with prudence and integrity. Therefore, it becomes imperative to explore not only the methodologies driving digital research but also the ethical considerations underpinning the responsible use of the data at hand. Rebora, S. (2023, October 26) introduced three approaches to web scraping:

1. Application Programming Interfaces (API)

APIs offer a structured and legal means for digital researchers to access data from social networking sites, ensuring ease of use within the boundaries set by API providers. Despite the advantages, limitations arise as access is confined to the data made available by website owners, and costs associated with APIs can be prohibitive, exemplified by Twitter's API showcasing issues like limited data access and changes in data availability and access methods over time. In contrast, YouTube stands out as an example of a platform providing accessible data through APIs, underscoring the variability in API quality among social networking sites.

1. Static Web Scraping

Static web scraping, an alternative to APIs, involves extracting information from websites using programming languages like R and Python (Krotov, Johnson & Silva, 2020). Static web scraping retrieves data embedded in a website's HTML code, offering cost-effective access to stable content. However, as the name implies, it only applies to static web pages and is a more complex form of web scraping. A static web page is a basic type of web page that remains the same each time you load or view it. It doesn’t change or update based on a website visitor’s actions and doesn’t display new information from a server.

1. Dynamic Web Scraping

Dynamic web scraping addresses the limitations of static web scraping by providing access to constantly evolving content, particularly relevant for dynamic sites like social networking platforms. This is a more complex form of web scraping, but it provides almost full coverage and access to data. It also leaves researchers in a lot more 'grey areas' as there are not enough academic studies yet on this topic for researchers to determine what is legal and ethical in the use of this approach. The legal ambiguity surrounding its use necessitates a closer examination of the potential consequences and ethical considerations involved.

Legal and Ethical Considerations in Web Scraping

Web scraping, particularly dynamic scraping, poses critical legal and ethical considerations for researchers. The jurisdictional responsibility for claims of unfair use and data access, along with copyright issues, is a complex landscape. Cameron Gray's 2021 article highlights the lack of international agreements on internet use and data extraction, leaving decisions to individual cases and their respective jurisdictions. The U.S. Copyright Office supports the idea that fair use is not universally defined, making it a case-by-case determination. Many jurisdictions allow exemptions to standard copyright protections for research purposes under the "Fair Use Doctrine," protecting researchers for most research purposes. However, the legal ambiguity surrounding web scraping, especially in the absence of enforceable contracts, necessitates a cautious approach. The open and communal nature of online interactions on social networking sites is a valuable resource for researchers amidst these legal complexities, emphasizing the need to navigate these practices with prudence and responsibility.

In Pursuit of Ethically and Legally Sourced Data

The ethical dimension of web scraping is equally significant for researchers. The term 'ethics' in web scraping relates to the moral principles governing the exchange of goods and services. The paradox of ethics in web scraping is evident in the open nature of the web, driven by principles of accessibility. The large amount of user data, while invaluable for businesses, raises ethical concerns regarding its protection and use for research purposes. Despite the legal theories guiding web scraping, there is a gap in literature addressing the subtle ethical issues related to this emerging practice. As researchers grapple with the legal and ethical implications, questions arise about the universal definition of ethics and its applicability across different jurisdictions. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as an example of comprehensive privacy regulations, highlighting the challenges researchers face when conducting web scraping in regions without such laws. Researchers are urged to consider overarching questions addressing both ethical and legal implications, emphasizing the potential harm to individuals, organizations, or communities. The expansive datasets of the Big Web offer numerous research opportunities, but the legality and ethics of data collection from the Web remain 'grey areas.' From a personal standpoint, prioritizing an ethical and legal approach to data collection should be a foundational step for researchers, emphasizing its importance from the outset.

Conclusion

As researchers navigate the complexities of web scraping, the intertwined aspects of legal and ethical considerations underscore the need for a balanced and responsible approach. The open nature of online platforms provides valuable resources for researchers, but the lack of international agreements and evolving legal landscapes necessitate constant vigilance. While legal theories guide researchers, ethical nuances demand attention, especially in the absence of a comprehensive framework. The ethical sourcing of information becomes fundamental in web scraping, not as an afterthought but as an integral part of the research process. Researchers must prioritize an ethical and legal approach, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge through web scraping aligns with principles of responsibility, collaboration, and integrity.

References

• Dittmer, J. (n.d.). Applied ethics. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://iep.utm.edu/

• Gov U.S. Copyright Office (n.d.). U.S. Copyright Office fair use index. Retrieved from https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/

• Gray, CC. (2021, May 8). Ethical concerns surrounding web scraping & internet data. Bangor University.

• Krotov, V., Johnson, L., & Silva, L. (2020). Tutorial: legality and ethics of web scraping. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 47, https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04724

• Lancaster University (n.d.) GDPR: What researchers need to know. Retrieved from https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/research/research-services/research-integrity-ethics--governance/data-protection/gdpr-what-researchers-need-to-know/

• Rebora, S. (2023, October 26). Scraping data from social networking sites. Digital Social Reading, University of Basel.

• Singer, P. (2023, December 26). Ethics. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethics-philosophy

• Snell, J. & Nicola, M. (2016). Web scraping in an era of big data 2.0." Bloomberg Law News.

Author: Dongyu Zhang

Digital Ethnography

Ethnography is a research method that involves the systematic study of people and cultures through direct observation and interaction. It originated in the field of anthropology but has since been adopted by various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and communication studies. Ethnographers immerse themselves in the daily lives of the individuals or communities they study, aiming to understand their behaviors, beliefs, and social dynamics from an insider's perspective. An ethnographic study is often in general a qualitative study.

The methods of conducting ethnography typically include

1. Participant observation,

2. Interviews,

3. Naturalism,

4. Surveys, and

5. Research in archives.

In participant observation, the researcher actively engages in the community or group activities, gaining firsthand experience of their cultural practices. Interviews provide an opportunity to gather personal narratives and perspectives from individuals within the community, enriching the researcher's understanding. Additionally, ethnographers may collect artifacts, documents, or other materials that are relevant to the culture being studied.

In the digital age, ethnography has evolved to encompass the study of online communities and digital cultures. Digital ethnography involves applying traditional ethnographic methods to the virtual world. Researchers observe and participate in online spaces, such as forums, social media platforms, or virtual communities, to understand the cultural dynamics of these digital spaces. The methods employed in digital ethnography may include analyzing online conversations, studying user-generated content, and conducting virtual interviews. And it makes long-distance contacts possible, enormously expands the edge of researching.

The shift to the digital realm has brought both opportunities and challenges to ethnographic research. On the positive side, digital ethnography allows researchers to explore global and diverse communities without the constraints of geographical boundaries. It also enables the study of rapidly changing online cultures. However, challenges include issues of anonymity, ethical considerations related to online interactions, and the need to adapt traditional methods to the digital context.

In the digital age, more and more information and interactions are happening on the internet, on various of virtual spaces, which the ethnographers ought to be adept to navigate. As technology continues to shape the way people communicate and interact, ethnography remains a valuable tool for understanding the nuances of human behavior and culture, whether in face-to-face interactions or within the dynamic landscape of the digital world.

Participatory research

Unlike traditional research, where experts conduct studies “on” subjects, participatory research emphasizes working “with” participants as co-researchers. In this scenario, the researchers do not “expert” themselves in conducting activities. With this intention, the knowledge production is based on all the co-researchers instead of a certain type of people, in other words, it is a more decentralized method.

Most important is to know who to involve and how to define groups. When choosing the co-researchers, make sure the selection of participants reflects the diversity and richness of perspectives within the community. On the other hand, also taking into account the goals and objectives of the study to clearly define the boundaries of the research group.

Within the selected groups, to empower the co-researchers is the next step. Stuart and Maynard (2022, p74) define a "Power and Interest Matrix" to divide participants into four dimensions, namely, 'Powerful and interested', 'Powerful but not interested', 'No power but interested', as well as 'No power and no interest'. Power is effected by age, ethnicity, gender, and other factors. For example, if a researcher wants to conduct a student-led project, the participation of a professor might break this power dynamic. The second element is the interestedness. By selecting people with interest often brings a more efficient and positive way of during the process, for people who are interested in the topic are more likely to have some foundation of knowledge and eagerness.

Therefore, empower participants by involving them in decision-making processes related to the research design, methodology, and interpretation of findings. Foster a sense of ownership and agency among participants, allowing them to contribute actively to shaping the research agenda and outcomes. Meanwhile, pay attention to the factors that might damage the empowerment and control them.

Q&A Session

In the spirit of the topic of this lecture, here is a reflection of part of the Q&A session during the seminar that would be helpful for conducting qualitative research:

Q: Conducting qualitative research is really new to me, a simple question could be, where and how to start?

A: You do it ‘bird by bird!’ (Laughters) That’s a true story which happened to my friend who was writing a collection of different kinds of birds, and she was overwhelmed at the beginning. Instead of making a systematic and precise plan, she started to write about one bird, and in your case, one aspect of your research. Define your question, choose a method, and take it step by step. Each detail adds to the bigger picture. At the end of the day, your research will be fruitful.

Q: When we want to conduct research with the Story Circle method (participant observation + story telling + questionnaire), where is the line, between making precise research questions vs. not making presumptions and simply just go with the workflow?

A: Diving into the Story Circle method – you want some precise research questions to guide you, but don't lock yourself in the cocoon. Let the stories flow naturally. Think of it like having a roadmap– gives direction but leaves room for surprises! For instance, if you're delving into personal experiences with a technology, don't pigeonhole with, "Tell me your challenges using Instagram." Instead, open it up with, "Share your stories about using technology in your daily life."

Tips: And for the new qualitative researchers, we always suggest to start communication with emotional topics, because tapping into those emotions can open up a treasure trove of insights. It's not just a great opener; it's the key to unlocking genuine and rich conversations.

References

• Fuller, D., & Sedo, D. R. (2019). ‘Boring, frustrating, impossible’: Tracing the negative affects of reading from Interviews to Story Circles. 16(1).

• Hoey, B. A. (2014). A Simple Introduction to the Practice of Ethnography and Guide to Ethnographic Fieldnotes.

• Stuart, K., & Maynard, L. (2022). The Practitioner Guide to Participatory Research with Groups and Communities. Bristol University Press. doi:10.46692/9781447362296

Author: Prof. Dr. Moniek Kuijpers

The Digital Social Reading course I organised in the fall semester of 2023 was inspired by my current research project "Shared Reading in the Age of Digitalization". This project was founded because in the last decades researchers have found declines in both reading skills and well-being of young adults. Often these declines have been blamed on the rise of digitalization in our society, without enough evidence to support such claims (Przybylski & Orben, 2019). In this project, we are empirically investigating how engaging in social activities surrounding the act of reading can affect reading habits and a sense of well-being.

In this course I wanted to showcase a variety of such social activities, for which we use the umbrella term "Digital Social Reading practices". For that purpose I invited expert speakers on several topics, such as Federico Pianzola to give "An Introduction to Digital Social Reading", Maria Kraxenberger on "Wreading and Fanfiction", Sonali Kulkarni on "Book talk on BookTok", Cristina Loi on "The Impact of Wattpad, Interactive Fiction and Book Reading".

This is by no means an exhaustive list of digital social reading practices that avid readers engage with (think of, for example, Bookstagram, BookTube, Online book clubs, etc.), but it was meant as a broad overview of activities. Many of our speakers talked about the popularity of these practices, with participation numbers running into the millions. The online spaces in which these practices take place, are mostly inhabited by young adults, which shows that there is a large number of young adults that do actively engage in reading and other practices, such as writing reviews, fan fiction or engaging in conversations about reading. What does it mean then that some research still finds declines in reading skills (Schleicher, 2019)? Could it be that we are measuring reading skills wrong? Perhaps we are measuring an outdated idea of what reading should look like?

For example, a lot of these practices are mostly conducted in the English language, but young adults from all kinds of language areas are engaging in them, meaning they are learning not only to read, but also express themselves in a second language. Their communication and reading skills is also inevitably coloured by the platforms they are choosing to engage with (Pianzola, 2021) or the affinity spaces (Gee, 2005) they share with like-minded people.

In order to fully understand this conundrum, we need to empirically investigate what it means to read in the digital age, what kind of skills it takes and how to measure them. For that we require a range of different empirical and computational methods to conduct such research, which brings us to the other half of the presentations given in this course, namely the presentations showcasing a variety of methods used to investigate these practices.

We have had presentations from Simone Rebora on "Scraping Data from Social Networking Sites", from DeNel Rehberg Sedo and Danielle Fuller on "Digital Ethnography and Participatory Research", from Massimo Lusetti on "Machine Learning", and from Anastasia Glawion and Tina Ternes on "Network Analysis" and I presented myself on "Manual annotation of Online Book Reviews". Again, this is by no means an exhaustive list of methods used to study reading in the digital age, but it at least gave fitting examples of methods from more qualitative empirical research, such as annotation and ethnography, and methods from computational studies, such as machine learning and data scraping.

I believe research into reading in the digital age needs to go beyond theoretical reflections, which can be coloured by researchers' bias about what reading should look like and instead should use a combination of empirical methods to come close to a comprehensive understanding of what reading looks like nowadays and how it affects people's mental health. Method triangulation is especially important when studying relatively new phenomena, such as digital social reading, as it allows us to look at such phenomena from different angles.

For example, when using computational methods we can get an idea of patterns of reading behaviour on digital social reading platforms on a very large scale, which allows us to see how reading habits have shifted in the digital age (Pianzola, Rebora & Lauer, 2020). On the other hand, ethnographic and annotation methods allow us to dive deeper into individual readers' experiences, one by asking readers directly about their experience (Fuller & Rehberg Sedo, 2013), the other by close reading their reader testimonials in the form of book reviews (Kuijpers et al., 2023) or commentary.

References

• Fuller, D., & Sedo, D. R. (2013). Reading beyond the book: The social practices of contemporary literary culture. Routledge.

• Gee, J. P. (2005). Semiotic social spaces and affinity spaces. Beyond communities of practice language power and social context, 214232. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20170808182315id_/http://www.bendevane.com/RDC2012/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Gee-Social-Semiotic-Spaces.pdf

• Kuijpers, M. M., Lendvai, P., Lusetti, M., Rebora, S., Ruh, L., Tadres, J., Ternes, T., & Vogelsanger, J. (2023). Absorption in Online Reviews of Books: Presenting the English-Language AbsORB Metadata Corpus and Annotation Guidelines. Journal of Open Humanities Data, 9(13), pp. 1–7. https://openhumanitiesdata.metajnl.com/articles/10.5334/johd.116

• Pianzola, F. (2021). Digital Social Reading: Sharing Fiction in the 21st Century. Retrieved from: https://wip.mitpress.mit.edu/digital-social-reading

• Pianzola, F., Rebora, S., & Lauer, G. (2020). Wattpad as a resource for literary studies. Quantitative and qualitative examples of the importance of digital social reading and readers’ comments in the margins. PloS one, 15(1), https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226708

• Przybylski, A. & Orben, A. (2019, 7 July). We’re told that too much screen time hurts our kids. Where’s the evidence? The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/07/too-much-screen-time-hurts-kids-where-is-evidence

• Schleicher, A. (2019). PISA 2018: Insights and Interpretations (OECD Report). Retrieved from: https://www.oecd.org/pisa/

Authors: Georgina Oduba and Leonie Hormes.

1. What is Machine Learning?

Machine Learning is a branch of Artificial Intelligence that focuses on the development of Algorithms and Statistical models that enable computers to learn and make decisions without being explicitly programmed. Computers are trained on a dataset to recognize patterns which they can now use to make predictions or take specific actions. In the dynamic realm of machine learning, the journey from raw data to a trained model involves a series of meticulously orchestrated steps. Each stage plays a crucial role in shaping the capabilities of the machine, ultimately leading to the desired outcome.

In Digital Social Reading, machine learning is a tool used to investigate reading practices online. Here, classifiers are trained to identify absorption in online book reviews and the procedure involves training and testing the model, which is especially necessary when there are large amounts of data available. Generally, it is useful as it can improve the interpretation of the reaction of readers. To what extent were they absorbed as they read the texts? As shown through the demonstration in the seminar, the 0.23 and 0.35 given by Naive Bayes and Logistic Regression algorithms respectively show that the model is not good at finding absorption where there is evidence of absorption. It is only good in identifying cases of non-absorption.

2. Why is it found useful in research?

Machine Learning is invaluable in research for its ability to analyze vast amounts of data, identify complex patterns, and extract meaningful insights. It aids researchers in making predictions, classifying information, and discovering hidden relationships within datasets. Its automation capabilities enhance efficiency and provide a data-driven foundation for decision-making.

3. Can it be fully relied on?

While Machine Learning has proven to be a powerful tool, it cannot be fully relied upon without critical consideration. The reliability of machine learning models depends on the quality and representativeness of the training data, the appropriateness of the chosen algorithm, and the thoroughness of the model evaluation process.

The initial step in the machine learning process involves data collection, where diverse information is gathered. This data can span various formats, including text, images, videos, and more. The abundance and quality of the collected data are foundational to the success of subsequent stages.

In our example, annotation by humans serves as a training ground for machine learning models, showing the machine the examples and thus training them to discern patterns and make informed decisions. The focus is on guiding the machine by presenting it with numerous examples, enabling it to learn the nuances of the task at hand. In this example, the computer can “only” decide between absorption and non-absorption.

4. Is it always relevant?

Machine Learning is not universally applicable to all research scenarios. Its relevance depends on the nature of the data, the research question, and the specific goals of the study. In cases where human intuition, creativity, or domain expertise is crucial, machine learning may complement but not replace these essential elements.

5. What are its shortcomings?

Machine Learning has several shortcomings, including:

• Data Quality Dependence: Models heavily rely on the quality and representativeness of training data.

• Interpretability Issues: Some complex models, like neural networks, are perceived as black boxes, making it challenging to interpret their decisions.

• Overfitting and Underfitting: Models may perform poorly if they are too complex (overfitting) or too simplistic (underfitting).

• Bias and Fairness: Models can inherit biases present in training data, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes.

6. To what extent do methodology failures affect the interpretation of data and results?

Methodology failures in machine learning, such as inadequate data preprocessing, biased training data, or improper model evaluation, can significantly impact the interpretation of data and results. These failures may lead to inaccurate predictions, misclassifications, or biased outcomes, undermining the reliability and validity of the research findings.

7. Does it simplify research or just complicate issues in another dimension?

Machine Learning has the potential to both simplify and complicate research. On the one hand, it simplifies tasks by automating data analysis and pattern recognition, saving time and effort. On the other hand, it introduces complexities in terms of model selection, parameter tuning, and addressing ethical considerations, especially when dealing with sensitive data or biased outcomes. The complexity often shifts from manual data analysis to the intricacies of designing, training, and interpreting machine learning models.

In essence, the impact of machine learning on research depends on its careful integration, consideration of limitations, and alignment with the specific needs and goals of the research endeavor.

8. What about inter-annotator agreement?

The intersection of human reliability and machine reliability raises questions about inter-annotator agreement. It involves assessing the consistency between different annotators and reconciling conflicting opinions to ensure accurate training data. Additionally, the reliability of human annotations is assumed, despite the potential for errors. This is why there is the inter-annotator agreement. Two annotators might have a different opinion, you don’t know who might be correct. Labels are aggregated to decide who is correct. Once the decision has been made, it will be used to train the machine.

9. Conclusion

In conclusion, the machine learning process is a multi-faceted journey that encompasses data collection, human annotation, supervised learning, model testing, and evaluation. Each step contributes to the overall goal of training a model capable of making informed decisions. As technology advances, addressing questions of reliability, incorporating diverse data sources, and refining models will continue to shape the evolving landscape of machine learning.

References

• Jurafsky, D. & Martin J. H. (2023). Speech and Language Processing: An Introduction to Natural Language processing, Computational Linguistics and Speech Recognition. 3rd Edition Draft. pp. 56-59.

• Lendvai, P., Rebora, S., & Kuijpers M. M. (2020). Identification of reading Absorption in User-Generated Book Reviews. Proceedings of the 15th Conference on Natural Language Processing ( KONVENS 2019).

• Lusetti, M. (2023). Taking empirical research on Digital Social Reading to a larger scale with machine learning. Presentation Digital Social Reading Course, University of Basel.

Authors: Antonia Vogler and Ma. Lovena Moneva

Have you ever noticed how time flew fast when reading a book? Have you ever experienced being totally lost in the story, as if you are right there with the characters in their world? You felt for the characters. You suffered with them. Maybe you even had a good cry or a good laugh and your heart pounded. If you did, then you’ve experienced absorption, and there is a way to measure this using the Story World Absorption Scale or SWAS (Kuijpers et al., 2014). This scale measures the following components:

1. Attention – it is when the readers can lose awareness of themselves, their surroundings and the elapse of time, and they experience deep concentration while reading

2. Mental Imagery – it is when readers can visualize the story world: settings, characters, and situations in their minds

3. Transportation – it is when readers feel that they entered the story world and lost contact with the actual world

4. Emotional Engagement – it is when readers feel the characters’ emotions

Prof. Moniek Kuijpers, together with her team used the items and concepts from the SWAS, in the Mining Goodreads project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (Rebora et al., 2020). In this project, they developed a computational approach to measure reading absorption. The researchers used English reviews from a popular social catalogue of books, Goodreads. On Goodreads, platform users can share reviews on the books that they have read. They gathered reader reviews from different book genres and annotated these, using the semantic annotation platform INCEption (Klie et al., 2018). This tool has been developed at the Technische Universitat Darmstadt (Klie et al., 2018).

To give a better feel of how the annotation process worlds, Prof. Kuijpers gave her students from the Digital Shared Reading course the opportunity to explore the SWAS by following the guidelines developed by her together with Massimo Lusetti, Lina Ruh, Jonathan Tadres, Johanna Vogelsanger, Simone Rebora and Piroska Lendvai (2023). Coming as no surprise, the students coded the reviews differently. After experiencing the process, the students wondered how the researchers' handled disagreement on the annotations. Prof. Kuijpers explained that it was a long iterative process involving group discussions to establish process standards. They discovered that some items had to be modified from and added to the original tool to effectively capture the reviews’ essence. There is so much potential in using this tool and this method for a variety of reviews. With the availability of data online, it is just a matter of building a good corpus of reviews that can be analyzed. These are important considerations for future research endeavors using similar tools and research methods. You’ll never know, you might find something interesting if you decide to dedicate your research to this matter.

In week 7, we discussed a different, but related study: Using a Cognitive Stylistics approach, Nuttall & Harrison (2020) focus on embodied metaphors in Goodreads reviews of the bestseller Twilight. Their approach to focus on bodily metaphors to find out more about reading experiences is suitable, since they „are often successful […] because they exploit this mechanism of brain and bodily attunement “(Cuccio, 2015, p. 104). In other words, by studying bodily metaphors, insights into the mind-body connection in reader experiences (for example absorption) are revealed. It does not come as a surprise, for example, that “books are excrement” metaphors were only found in 1-star reviews (Nuttal & Harrison, 2020). The bodily metaphors that the authors found describe bodily control vs. addiction, travelling and eating – to name a few (Nuttal & Harrison, 2020).

Contrasting weeks 2 and 7 of our seminar has demonstrated that there are various methods to measure reading experiences. The methodology can be either qualitative or quantitative, and researchers may come from diverging theoretical backgrounds. Additionally, it became evident that digital platforms offer a wealth of new and useful information about reading experiences. It is important to consider the context of the platform though, including community norms and social dynamics in discussions: “[T]he extent to which such responses offer access to the online reading experiences of readers is mediated by the other communicative functions at work in these contexts, which may include a desire for social affirmation (or the opposite – a desire to provoke conflict) and the construction of identity within a social hierarchy” (Nuttall & Harrison, 2020, p. 4). Nuttal and Harrison (2020, p. 19) give an example given for when reviewers are seeking for social affirmation: By using terms that are only known to the Goodreads/ Twilight community, they indicate belonging and expertise (Nuttal & Harrison, 2020, p. 19). So when reviewers are “positioning themselves as a ‘Twihater’”, they simultaneously construct their identity of an in-group member (Nuttal & Harrison, 2020, p. 21).

References

• Cuccio, V. (2015). Embodied simulation and metaphors: On the role of the body in the interpretation of bodily-based metaphors. Embodied Simulation and Metaphors: On the Role of the Body in the Interpretation of Bodily-Based Metaphors, 99–113.

• Klie, J.-C., Bugert, M., Boullosa, B., Eckart de Castilho, R., & Gurevych, I. (2018). The INCEpTION Platform: Machine-Assisted and Knowledge-Oriented Interactive Annotation. In Proceedings of System Demonstrations of the 27th International Conference on Computational Linguistic. COLING 2018, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

• Kuijpers, M., Hakemulder, F., Tan, E. S., & Doicaru, M. M. (2014). Exploring absorbing reading experiences: Developing and validating a self-report scale to measure story world absorption. In Scientific Study of Literature (Vol. 4, Issue 1, pp. 89–122). John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1075/ssol.4.1.05kui

• Kuijpers, M., Rebora, S., Lendvai, P., Lusetti, M., Ruh, L., Vogelsanger, J., & Tadres, J. (2023). Absorption in Online Book Reviews English Annotation Guidelines. https://osf.io/4h2tw/

• Nuttal, L., & Harrison, C. (2020). Wolfing down the Twilight series: Metaphors for reading in online reviews. In Contemporary Media Stylistics. Bloomsbury Publishing.

• Rebora, S., Kuijpers, M., & Lendvai, P. (2020, June). Mining Goodreads. A Digital Humanities Project for the Study of Reading Absorption. Sharing the Experience: Workflows for the Digital Humanities. Proceedings of the DARIAH-CH Workshop 2019 (Neuchâtel). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3897251

First Blogpost -

posted by Kseniia Kamyshova

Exploring Interactive Fiction: A Reader's Adventure

As fiction reading continues to shift towards digital platforms, more academic studies are crucially needed to understand the cognitive and emotional impacts of these platforms on the reading process and experience. The study by Loi, Kuijpers, Ensslin, and Lauer (2023), titled "Paths to Transformation Across Contemporary Reading Practices: The Role of Motivations and Genre Preferences" presented by Cristina Loi, the co-author and lecturer of Seminar 11 in the course Social Digital Reading ), aimed to compare the transformative effects of reading across different contemporary reading practices, including print fiction and digital fiction. The research highlighted the benefits of expanding the boundaries of research on the transformative effects of reading beyond literary print fiction, encouraging further research in the field of empirical literary studies that accounts for a wide variety of contemporary reading practices. (Loi et al., 2023)

Digital fiction encompassed interactive narratives, social reading apps, and multimedia ebooks. I am particularly interested in learning more about interactive narratives (also known as interactive fiction or IF), because they represent an evolution of traditional reading practice. In this wiki style blogpost, I will provide an overview of interactive fiction as a contemporary reading practice and trace its historical development as a unique form of digital storytelling that emphasizes reader agency.

Defining Interactive Fiction

Interactive fiction refers to a form of digital fiction that engages readers through interactive elements, allowing them to take different pathways through the text or experience different versions of the story. Typically presented on screens with multimedia enhancements, interactive fiction gives readers agency to actively shape the tale by navigating hypertext links, directing character actions, or influencing how scenes unfold. (Loi et al., 2023)

Early Interactive Fiction

IF contains certain basic elements that distinguish it from conventional static fiction. Specifically, IF is a programme-mediated narrative presented through text, allowing readers to enter commands or make choices that alter the course of the story. Originating from 1970s-80s text adventures like Zork, IF has users investigate environments and influence outcomes through actions and choices. These early IF works were praised for the sense of agency afforded by experiencing the storyworld through a character avatar and influencing plot outcomes by conversing with characters and solving puzzles. Delivered on floppy discs and early PCs, this first wave of IF established the basic principles of explorable simulated worlds, conversion interaction, and stories with multiple endings based on user. Works such as Planetfall, Trinity, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy demonstrate the sophistication of narrative design and the reactivity of early IF. This pioneering era inspired a long-lasting enthusiasm among readers for interactive storytelling. (Montfort, 2004, pp. 15-35)

The Evolution of Modern IF

After initial popularity, IF declined but was reinvigorated by the internet. The 2000s were innovative in mixing IF with other genres. Hybrid works blend IF with visual novels, point-and-click adventures, RPG combat systems, and simulation gameplay. Expanding the diversity and accessibility of interactive narratives. (Ensslin, 2014, pp. 23-45). Advancements in AI, machine learning, and natural language processing likewise open new possibilities for IF each year.

Crafting Interactive Narratives

In order to craft an engaging Interactive Fiction (IF) experience, it is crucial to strike a delicate equilibrium between granting readers a sense of freedom and maintaining a cohesive narrative structure at various junctures within the story. As highlighted by Riedl and Bulitko (2013), key considerations encompass the adept management of complexity, the preservation of immersive qualities, the subtle guidance of choices, the assurance of logical consistency, and the strategic influence over narrative consequences.

Managing complexity involves orchestrating a narrative that presents a diverse array of choices and paths without overwhelming the reader.

Maintaining immersion is paramount in IF, as it sustains the reader's engagement and emotional investment in the storyline. Subtly guiding choices involves skillfully directing readers toward meaningful decision points while avoiding overt manipulation.

Logical consistency plays a pivotal role in the creation of IF, ensuring that the narrative adheres to a coherent set of rules and principles. This consistency not only enhances the credibility of the fictional world but also contributes to the reader's sense of agency and comprehension.

Influencing consequences strategically entails crafting a web of outcomes that respond meaningfully to the choices made by the reader.

The Artistic Value of IF

IF’s facility for representing abstract narratives also offers artistic opportunities . The readerly input underlying IF is one of its most compelling artistic qualities. By collaborating with readers in the construction of unique plot trajectories, IF allows for the infinite configuration of a conceptually robust space of narrative possibilities. In this sense, readerly imagination remains the primary virtue of IF. (Montfort, 2004, pp. 89-95). The ability to make choices in narratives also allows IF to address deep themes of morality, identity and consequences. (Montfort, 2004, pp. 103-108)

Conclusion

From the early text adventures to the expanding horizons of contemporary interactive fiction, this interactive literary form continues to evolve. A certain combination of simulated worlds, textual narrative, and meaningful interactivity ensures that readers are continually engaged. Code and text skilfully intertwine to give the reader control over the world, bringing it to life. IF authors face great challenges but get great artistic rewards in creating these personalised narratives. While technological advances will continue to define IF's horizons, at its core will remain the dream of allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the story and direct its course. IF gives readers the opportunity to go on the ultimate adventure - into the realm of imagination.

References:

Ensslin, A. (2014). Literary gaming (pp. 23-45). The MIT Press.

Montfort, N. (2004). Twisty little passages: An approach to interactive fiction. MIT Press.

Second Blogpost on Impacts of Wattpad

posted by Sana Asghar

Reading has changed dramatically in the modern era from being limited to the pages of printed books. The advent of digital fiction and storytelling platforms such as Wattpad has enabled readers to traverse a variety of literary landscapes, each providing unique avenues for profoundly engaging reading experiences. Numerous scholarly investigations endeavour to examine the complex interactions between reading motives and genre preferences, elucidating how these factors influence the transforming quality of the reading experience. Digital platforms are largely responsible for the dramatic changes in the ways that tales are told, shared, and consumed in the quickly changing literary scene. Wattpad, a platform that has revolutionised modern reading patterns and democratised narrative, is at the vanguard of this digital literary revolution. This blog article explores Wattpad's significant influence, looking at how it promotes a worldwide literary community, democratises narrative, and shapes a variety of reading habits.

Transformative reading experiences in the digital age have been examined in numerous research. Loi et ell (2023) represents a noteworthy scholarly endeavour. It highlights the significance of engaging with a particular genre—dramas in particular—to encourage perceived transformational effects across a variety of reading habits, in addition to shedding light on the effects of multiple reading platforms. The study concludes that different reading practises have varied combinations of reading habits that predict reported transformation. On the other hand, regular drama consumption appears to be a reliable indicator of perceived change, indicating that narratives that centre on the inner lives and psychological insights of characters elicit deep emotional reactions and provoke introspective contemplation.

The study acknowledges the significance of hedonic incentives in text-based fictional narrative engagement, particularly in digitally native reading habits such as Wattpad and digital fiction. Because digital practises have ludic elements like interactivity and gamification, they score much higher on hedonic motives than book readers. According to the study, readers may have deep-rooted beliefs about why they should read, which are shaped by historical divisions between highbrow and lowbrow literature.

Interestingly, the study finds that readers of books have a different relationship between eudaimonia and hedonism than do users of digital content. Although book readers typically discriminate more between "fun reads" and "meaningful reads," newer digital practises indicate that pleasure and insight needs can frequently coexist in a single reading experience. One of the most important predictors of observed change in all reading habits is the involvement with drama, which is defined as concentrating on the inner lives and psychological insight of characters.

Following are some of the important impacts of Wattpad:

1. Democratizing Storytelling:

Wattpad has disrupted the traditional publishing model by providing a platform where aspiring writers can share their stories with a global audience without the constraints of traditional gatekeepers. The democratization of storytelling on Wattpad allows for a diverse range of voices to find expression, contributing to a more inclusive and representative literary landscape (Tompkins, 2015).

2. Global Community Building:

Wattpad unites readers and writers worldwide by bridging geographical divides. By bringing people together who are passionate about storytelling, the platform helps users from various cultural backgrounds feel like they belong and are supportive of one another (Duffett, 2013).

3. Interactive Storytelling:

The emphasis Wattpad places on participatory storytelling is one of its unique selling points. Through leaving comments on chapters, providing feedback, and even changing the course of a tale, readers can actively interact with writers. Reading becomes a dynamic and collaborative process as a result of this real-time contact, which also blurs the boundaries between authors and their audience (Vasalou, 2017).

4. Empowering Diverse Voices:

Wattpad has developed into a forum for disenfranchised writers, enabling them to tell their tales and give voice to underrepresented voices. The inclusion of various voices in literature fosters a more inclusive literary environment by providing readers with narratives that encompass a wider range of human experiences (Radway, 2018).

5. Fostering New Genres:

Novel and unusual genres that might not fit well with standard publishing have emerged because of Wattpad. The platform promotes exploration and innovation by providing readers with a wide range of literary possibilities, ranging from fan fiction to specialised genres (Moody, 2016).

6. Cultivating New Reading Habits:

Wattpad tales are formed to suit modern reading habits; they are frequently serialised and given in short chapters. Wattpad offers a structure that fits with the on-the-go lifestyle in a world where attention spans may be shorter, revolutionising how and when readers interact with literature (Konnikova, 2014).

7. Adaptations and Cross-Media Influence:

Wattpad's influence is felt in traditional media in addition to the digital sphere. Numerous tales on Wattpad have been made into films, television series, and other entertainment mediums. The platform's function as a storytelling incubator is validated by this cross-media influence, which also exposes Wattpad stories to audiences outside of its online community (Tarkov, 2019).

8. Literary Discoveries and Viral Phenomena:

Viral phenomena and literary discoveries have flourished on Wattpad. Stories that take off on the platform have the potential to become cultural phenomena very fast, drawing interest from traditional media outlets and publishers. This capacity to produce literary phenomena attests to Wattpad's impact on the development of popular culture (Wattpad, 2020).

Wattpad's impact on contemporary reading practices is far-reaching, from democratizing storytelling to fostering a global literary community and influencing diverse reading habits. As we navigate the digital era of literature, Wattpad stands as a beacon of innovation, inviting readers and writers alike to explore the limitless possibilities of the literary universe. Its influence not only transforms individual reading experiences but also contributes to the broader cultural landscape, solidifying its place as a revolutionary force in the world of literature.

References:

Duffett, M. (2013). "Social, Casual and Mobile Games: The Changing Gaming Landscape," Bloomsbury Publishing.

Konnikova, M. (2014). "How to Read on the Go." The New Yorker.

Moody, H. (2016). "Fanfiction as a literary form." American Literature, 88(4), 765-791

Radway, J. (2018). "Reading the Romance: Women, Patriarchy, and Popular Literature," University of North Carolina Press.

Tarkov, A. (2019). "From Wattpad to Hollywood: The Future of Fan Fiction and Fandom in the Age of Streaming." In: “Media, Communication, and the Global Network Society,” Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Tompkins, J. (2015). “Sonic Mirrors: Fanfiction, Viral Inheritance, and the Belonging of Fans,” Transformative Works and Cultures, 18. https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2015.0627

Vasalou, A., & Joinson, A. N. (2009). "Me, myself and I: The role of interactional context on self-presentation through avatars." Computers in Human Behavior, 25(2), 510-520.

Wattpad. (2020). "Year in Review: Wattpad's 2020 Wrap-Up." Wattpad Blog. https://company.wattpad.com/blog/2020/12/17/year-in-review-wattpads-2020-wrap-up

This is a blogpost written by the moderators of the guest lecture on Wreading and Fan fiction given by Maria Kraxenberger during the Digital Social Reading course.

Fanfiction

Author: Pema Frick

Fanfiction can be summarised as fictional, fan-made stories which include characters as well as certain plot elements of a specific source product – usually from popular culture. It falls under the category of fan culture practices or fan production () and can be traced back into the 18th century (). Today, fan fiction is a predominantly online-based phenomenon and can be seen as a form of ‘scenic communization’ ().

Due to the influence and widespread use of digital technology, fan fiction production as well as consumption has significantly grown, as have other components of fan culture and reading in general.

Fan fiction in the digital realm

Author: Pema Frick

There are dedicated websites for fan fiction, such as , and , as well as OLPs (Online Literature Platforms) such as .

Taking the example of fanfiktion.de, one finds that it has mostly female users (66% female, 34% male of a total of >170'000 users) and currently contains around 178,500 free works and more than 404,000 fan fiction texts. These texts are a crossing of genres, a mixture of content from different media and (pop)cultural allusions. Top categories, in which texts have been published, are Anime & Manga (110,064 texts), Books (102,007 texts) and Celebrities (77,349). Inside the category of Anime & Manga, there are clear distributions of the amount of fan fiction written: by far the most publications are about One Piece (11,575 texts), followed by Fairy Tail (4995 texts) and Hetalia (3,876 texts). Most prominent within the category of books are the Harry Potter series (51,167 texts), the Twilight series (14,014 texts), as well as works by J.R.R. Tolkien (8,015 texts). There is also a growing number of fan fiction written about real-life celebrities (especially from pop music), namely, K-Pop (8,897 texts), One Direction (6,124 texts), and, because of the German based users, Tokio Hotel (4,335 texts). However, fan fiction especially in the latter category can not only be found on OLPs, but also on social media. There, it can appear in the form of a Twitter thread, a YouTube video, or sometimes in the form of online role-playing.

By now, there is an own vocabulary tied to fan fiction, which helps to search and navigate in genres and subgenres ().

Wreading

Author: Pema Frick

George Landow, as early as the 1990s, introduced the term 'wreader' to describe the unique convergence of various literary activities in a single individual (). This term, which encapsulates both the acts of writing (in both literary and commentary forms) and reading, appears fitting for users of today's OLPs. However, whether this theoretical framework accurately reflects real-life scenarios is still a matter for empirical investigation (). Arguably, with the shift towards digital social reading, more than these two categories of interaction with the text can be observed, such as commenting on OLPs and social media platforms or producing an infrastructural basis for writing activities in Webtoons. But most importantly, Kraxenberger highlighted how the wreader is breaking up the triad of author, audience, and text. Intertextuality in wreading and on OLPs is omnipresent.

So it comes to no surprise, that many of these wreading works are catering towards certain literary demands, such as erotica.

Who reads contemporary erotic novels and why?

Author: Valentyna Pavliv

Contemporary erotic novels are believed to be "cheap" literature, hence the target population for this kind of books is expected to fit in a very small box of characteristics, as uneducated (without a high education degree), working class, bored stay at home women. The outstanding success of Fifty shades of Gray not only was unanticipated, but also proved that actually a way larger spectrum of the population show interest for this specific type of literature. Maria Kraxenberger explored these phenomena, by conducting an online study, aiming to answer 1) Who reads these erotic novels? 2) What are the reasons underlying this preference?

The study sample has 427 female participants who like and read erotic novels. As the definition of "erotic novel" may vary for different individuals, the participants described it by citing typical representative books from this category. Accordingly, they primarily defined it by contemporary bestsellers.

It is also interesting to notice that the demographics differ a lot from the expectation: 52% of the participants had achieved a university degree, which means that this sample is slightly above the average level of education in the population. Also, the biggest part of the participants is working at least part-time.

The participants' reason to read erotic novels are separated into three categories: the main one being distraction, then having a say and finally guidance. Social Media could have a big role in the popularity of erotic novels, as they encourage sharing opinions (85% of participants exchange via Social Media), which can also explain the high position of “having a say” component. Also, it was noticed during the lecture that erotic novels, via the type of writing they use, are closer to poetry than to literature. As it uses a structure closer to the oral spoken language, it could be also easier to get into the story and facilitate the distraction.

The results of participant's opinions about erotic novels show that, although their education level, they consider erotic novels as progressive. There could be different explanations: one of them may be that it is a way to provide potentially stimulant content to women. Another hypothesis is that they perceive the abuse as exciting sexual practice, interpreting the female character as curious and open to the alternative methods of her partner.

Wreading on Online Literature Platforms

Author: Valentyna Pavliv

In order to understand online literature platforms (OLPs), Maria Kraxenberger conducted another survey within 315 participants.

The users mainly adopt English-speaking OLPs, where 66% of participants prefer reading and 33% writing. The usage is to be quite anonymous: 94% have a pseudonym and the close family/friends circles are not really part of this literature platforms worlds either, as roughly half reported that the parents don't know bout their activity, and slightly above half told that the friends are aware of it.

There is a strong interest into reading fan fiction: it is, in fact, the most popular category among the participants of the survey. Although OLPs may intensify creation and sharing of fan fiction, it is important to realize that it exists for way longer than internet itself.

As investigated in Birkhold's book Characters before copyright: the rose and regulation of fan fiction in eighteen-century Germany, the lack of common laws in between different localities that form today Germany, along with the increase of publishing permitted not only to write without any restrictions on the subject, but also sell these productions. Although there were no names for this phenomenon, it is well described by the term of "fan fiction": a fictional story that includes characters and/or elements of a specific already existent source.

To understand the attachment to the fan fiction style, participants of Maria Kraxenberger's study were also asked to note why are they looking for this category specifically. Contrary to the case of fan fiction in the context of 18th century when fan fictional creation had a huge commercial success, the creative ambition has only an anecdotal value to the writers: it is in fact at the very last place of motivations. The main reason being creative freedom, followed by reader feedback, the third place being shared by both contact through digital writing and difference to the analogue world through digital writing. Similarly, the readers' main motivations to use OLP are supply & demand at first place, followed by contact through digital reading and difference to the analogue world through digital reading. Those ratings have in common that sharing, discussing, commenting are actually what binds writers and readers on OLP platforms, and show again the huge role of Social Media in those writings' success.

References

• Birkhold, M. H. (2019). Characters Before Copyright: The Rise and Regulation of Fan Fiction in Eighteenth-century Germany.

• Kraxenberger, M., Knoop, C. A., & Menninghaus, W. (2021). Who reads contemporary erotic novels and why?. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 8(1), 1-13.

Author: Maureen Studer

What is digital social reading?

The presentation about this topic was given by Federico Pianzola who explained that digital social reading does not just mean “text” + “digital device”. He points out that digital social reading is a contemporary approach to reading that uses digital technologies and online platforms to transform the traditionally solitary act of reading into a collaborative and social experience. Unlike the traditional method of enjoying a book in isolation, digital social reading uses various tools and online communities to encourage interaction, discussion and shared engagement with literature. (Pianzola 2021)

One of the key aspects of digital social reading is the ability for readers to collaboratively annotate digital texts. This means that readers can highlight, comment on and discuss specific passages within a digital book, creating a shared layer of insight and interpretation. This collaborative annotation enhances the reading experience by allowing readers to engage with the text on a deeper level and share their perspectives with others. Virtual book clubs have also become a prominent feature of digital social reading. Often hosted on social media platforms or dedicated websites. These clubs bring together readers from different locations to explore and analyze a chosen book together. Through online discussions, participants can share their thoughts, ask questions and build a sense of community around their shared literary interests. Social media platforms also play a crucial role in digital social reading. Readers use platforms such as Twitter, Goodreads and Facebook to share their reading progress, post reviews and engage in conversations with other readers. The use of specific hashtags related to books or reading challenges helps to connect readers with similar interests, creating a virtual space for discussion and community building.

All of these insights from platforms and media that allow readers to comment, annotate, and engage with each other about the texts they are reading can be very useful for empirical studies in the field of digital social reading. The digital world opens up endless possibilities for analyzing how readers interact with book content. Does digital social reading improve people's reading experience? How does it do this? What role do digital platforms and media play in changing the reading experience? How do they influence reading choices or create hype around certain books? How does digital social reading change the way we perceive older books or classics? Digital Methods such as and make it possible to collect information from all sorts of digital platforms and gain valuable insights into readers emotions, comments, annotations, reviews, recommendations and all sorts of book-related content.

List of some examples of important platforms and tools that contribute to digital social reading:

These platforms and tools can be divided into those that were originally created to provide a space for sharing book-related content, and those that were not intended to be digital social reading platforms but are now used as such.

is a popular online platform that has made Founded in 2006, Wattpad allows users to read and share stories for free. It has grown into a dynamic community where writers can publish their work and readers can discover a wide range of stories from different genres. Wattpad also uses a tool, which allows users to comment on text passages and rate chapters as well as see the annotations and number of votes a chapter has received, which can influence readers' expectations and experiences.

is a popular platform for book lovers, allowing users to track their reading, discover new books, join book clubs and participate in discussions. Goodreads is an example of a digital social reading platform that also includes the ability to rate and review book content. Platforms such as Goodreads can be used to look up ratings and reviews of books, which can influence people's purchasing behaviour or expectations of a book.

and and are social media platforms that allow users to express themselves by sharing images, videos and memes and commenting on each other's content. They have also become popular platforms for sharing book-related content, talking about books, giving recommendations, opinions and reviews. Although it is still very difficult, both technically and ethically, to scrape information from these platforms,

Most e-readers have the ability to highlight, save and annotate text, as well as look up the definition of words. Kindle e-readers underline passages of a book that are frequently highlighted by other readers. This can change the way a reader perceives a particular passage. Simon Rowberry's research on Kindle highlights suggests that readers often highlight expressions of values, pivotal narrative moments, inspirational statements, plot summaries, famous lines and romantic sentiments. (Rowberry 2019)

How does the field of Digital Humanities align with digital social reading?

Finally, this blog entry wants to point out that it is not enough to define digital social reading as "text" + "digital medium". Discussions, reviews and opinions, personalized recommendations, sharing emotions and encountering diversity within platforms that provide a space for readers to exchange their opinions and feelings about a book are also part of digital social reading. Reading in the digital age is for the most part no longer a solitary activity and offers so many ways for interaction and literary analysis.

References:

• Pianzola, F. (Accepted/In press). Digital Social Reading: Sharing Fiction in the 21st Century. MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.1162/ba67f642.a0d97dee

Author: Heejae Lee

This seminar was held in the middle of November, around week 8 and it was mainly about I was a moderator who was leading the discussion part at the end of the seminar after speaker's presentation ends and trying to ask my own questions like below:

1. At first, I didn't know what BookTok or BookTube is. After reading the related articles, I could understand what it stands for and it was very interesting to me. I wonder why it was interesting to you as author and what subculture or research influenced you the most?

2. Since the gen z consumes most of the contents through video or edited clips, I want to know how social platforms like TikTok or YouTube change the way that young reader's consume literature and what are the pros and cons of this trends?

3. If this trend keeps evolving and teen readers are more delved into reviewing and discussion, how do you imagine or draw the future of BookTok and BookTube be like? and if you predict it in positive way, what do you suggest for the next step like in the next few years?

Through these questions, I could solve my own curiosities and get a meaningful understanding of what this trend is about and how it will be evolving in various ways for the future. Since the character of a generation is changed more rapidly now through digitalization, I thought it would be great to know how this trend will affect the book consuming culture.

like posting their opinions and reviews on online platform or sharing literary discourse through community based social network services. This contributed to the transformation of consuming and discussing literature. I personally consider these changes as very significant as it is interactive, and peers connect more compared to past book reading styles.

So, in this point of view, the concept of affordance can play an important role in how this feature can build a relation to interact with books for relevant discussion. When it comes to appreciating books, this way is obviously helpful to lower the threshold of approaching literature and making it more accessible.

As the presenter Sonali Kulkarni said, this trend will not remain just a one hit wonder, but it will be evolving and developing its own form and take its place in the contemporary culture of literature consumption. and accepting their way of communication their reading preferences is valuable and meaningful.

References

• Kulkarni, S. (2023). Book Talk on BookTok: A practice theory inquiry into young readers’ active reshaping of digital literary criticism on TikTok. Tilburg University. :

• Ellis, D. (2021). The BookTok Generation: How Social Media is Transforming Gen Z Reading Habits. :

• Wall, N. (2023). How BookTok trends are influencing what you read. University of Liverpool. :

• Flood, A. (2021). The rise of BookTok: meet the teen influencers pushing books up the charts. The Guardian.

• Trenwith, A. (2021). Is BookTok the future of publishing? Shift London. :

• Leitch, M. G., & Rushton, C. J. (Eds.). (2019). A new companion to Malory. D. S. Brewer.

=========================================================================

Author: Paola Lechuga

Following into Heejae’s perspective of the topic, I would like to complement her ideas through some statistics:

• According to Words Rated, BookTok emerged as one of the most influential sources of book discoveries and has greatly affected the publishing industry.

• In a general overview, BookTok helped the book industry to sell around 20 million books only in 2021. And as for 2023, thanks to BookTok, the author Collen Hoover was able to sell over 4 million copies of her books worldwide.

• In other statistics, BookTok has improved the amount of readers a 48% in total, and these only including data within the USA.

“One of the perks of BookTok is that it provides a communal space for readers to interact and learn from each other around the globe. Increased connectivity between readers means that their preferences make more noise, and more power is put into the hands of the everyday consumer, with readers dictating trends and incentivising publishers to cater to their preferences.” (Barnaby, 2023)

“Watching and sharing short videos of other people relating to your experience while reading a book means you feel connected to others, which coincidentally, is why most users create accounts: to find a connection with people that are passionate about the same thing as you.” (Taylor, 2013)

With this we can expand on the topic and one of the doubts that arose during the seminar:

• Is it possible that these types of publications have a really significant effect on engagement outside of social media?

Moreover, also something interesting our seminarist exposed that BookTok has been able to re-organize the way people read, not only improving it visually but generating a new type of emotional engagement in which new and old readers can relate not only with the content creator but also with the book and it’s communities regarding if you already read the book or not.

References

Authors: Selma Tajic and Alice Lemma

An Introduction to Network Analysis

Network analysis is a powerful method that goes beyond traditional statistical analyses by providing a contextual understanding of relationships within a structure. Consider two individuals exchanging letters – while content analysis is one aspect, placing these letters in the context of a broader network reveals shared relations and the significance of intermediary connections. In the basic framework, a graph has nodes (vertices) and links (edges) representing relationships. Abstractions simplify real situations but need caution against oversimplification. Knowing edge types (undirected, directed, reciprocal, weighted) is crucial. Different graph types offer insights into network strength.

Moving to our main discussion, we explore different methods by three researchers – Daniel Allington, Anastasia Glawion, and Tina Ternes. A network can provide insights at studies with both a micro and macro scope. Allington focused on representing similarities between Amazon customer and professional reviews on the novel "The Inheritance of Loss." Ternes examined the similarities between reviews in the genres of horror/thriller, science fiction, mystery, and romance. Glawion concentrated on representing similarities between the practices of literature production in fanfiction across a variety of genres, stories, and their protagonists. These research methods, each undertaken by Allington, Ternes, and Glawion, offer diverse approaches to network analysis, enriching our understanding of this field by showing the many sides of network analysis and its applications.

Guiding us is the question: "How does using a social network graph help in analysing data?" This question guides us through understanding why and how social network graphs are useful in data analysis.

For helpful insights and a more in-depth understanding, consider watching Martin Grandjean’s informative that explain network analysis.

Adaptable Networks: Beyond the Basics

It is crucial to compare the factors that influenced each researcher’s study to understand how a network is constituted, and what makes it useful to visualise and analyse the collected data. As a network is an aid to visualise the relationships between concepts and/or entities, researchers are required to tailor the network based on the study’s objectives by (a) giving meaning to nodes and edges based on the specificities of the data, and (b) by using additional tools.

(a) Each researcher provided the meanings assigned to the nodes and edges of their network to provide insight into the relations within the data, and as Wasserman and Faust (1994, p. 20) argue:

‘A social network consists of a finite set or sets of actors and the relation or relations defined on them. The presence of relational information is a critical and defining feature of a social network.’

Table 1 provides each researcher’s given meaning to nodes, edges, and weight density. From what can be observed, we can conclude that nodes represent the data to be analysed and the edges represent the variables on which the analysis is based.

(b) The larger the scope of the study, the more data is collected, the more a network must be personalised. For example, Ternes used different sizes for the nodes to show the degree of centrality and different colours by genre for nodes, while Glawion used directed edges to show the influence of characters on one another and different colours by story for clusters. Even if there is an attempt to encompass most data in a network, not all variables can be represented in a single network, hence using additional charts for the analysis of specific clusters may be beneficial. Ternes used column charts to represent reviews’ absorption based on the categories of the Story World Absorption Scale, and Glawion used column charts to represent the rate of genres in fanfiction stories based on each cluster or number of users per cluster, and pie charts to represent the percentage of stories within each cluster. Interestingly, Allington used multiple networks with only white and grey nodes to find the similarities between two variables at a time, such as in Figure 2 that focuses on customer and professional reviews and Figure 3 that focuses on geographically located reviews in the UK and US (pp.270-271).

Summary

Overall, social network graphs serve as a powerful tool for researchers, providing a visual and analytical means to unravel complex relationships and patterns in their data. Here are key points to keep in mind when creating your network graph:

• Clear Visualization of Relationships

• Identification of Patterns and Trends

• Node and Edge Attributes

• Comparative Analysis

• Cluster Analysis

• Customization for Specific Objectives

• Integration with Additional Tools

References