KonstantinovskiyD. L., PopovaE. S., KuznetsovI. S., & KuznetsovR. S. (2025). Digital Technologies and Big Data in Sociological Research: Concept, Methodology, Opportunities. Universe of Russia, 34(1), 144-160. https: ...

Текст статьи на сайте журнала URL: https://mirros.hse.ru/index.php/mirros/article/view/24729 (дата обращения 05.03.2025)

Abstract

Digitalization has significantly transformed numerous spheres of social life. While the implementation of digital technologies has been smooth in some areas, in others it has required urgent adaptation. The field of sociological research is no exception: digital technologies for data collection and analysis have become deeply integrated into social science research practices. The use of digital tools and big data analysis in sociology offers a significant resource for breakthrough insights into social reality, but it also poses substantial risks when it comes to explaining this reality and developing practical recommendations for addressing social issues. Before engaging with digital technologies, tools, and big data, it is essential to clarify their theoretical and methodological nature as well as their practical potential from a social science perspective. This article analyzes the opportunities, limitations, and initial lessons from current practices in applying digital technologies, including big data, to sociological research. The article explores the unique features of collecting and analyzing such data and examines various methods of interpreting it. Particular attention is given to the intersection of social science, big data, and machine learning. It is noted that little attention has been paid to the application of machine learning models in sociology. The need to develop the mathematical and algorithmic aspects of this synthesis is highlighted. The article suggests that a balanced approach between empiricism and apriorism can serve as a starting point for a productive discussion on the methodology, epistemology, and principles of sociological knowledge derived from big data. The role and responsibility of sociologists in solving practical social problems through big data analysis are also discussed, emphasizing the need for methodological rigor. Finally, the necessity of applying data triangulation is underscored.