Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years (1.8.2018-31.7.2020), which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The students understand how to apply various research methods to explore social media platforms. They will be able to gather, explore, and analyze real-life social media information that will act as an actionable advice for government, businesses, or the society at large.

Credits: 3

Schedule: 07.09.2020 - 11.12.2020

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Aqdas Malik, Marko Nieminen

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Marko Nieminen

Contact information for the course (valid 02.09.2020-21.12.2112):

aqdas.a.malik[at]aalto.fi

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    This course introduces social media as a data source and platform for understanding, exploring, and solving various societal issues. The relevant theoretical concepts around social media, analytic tools, and affordances of different social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube will be discussed in detail. The students will learn how to integrate and apply data collection and analysis methodologies to social media.

  • Applies in this implementation:

     

    Social media have become ubiquitous part of daily lives of online users across the globe. The rapid surge in the usage of these channels for communication and active contributions from the users has given rise to enormous amounts of data. Due to organic nature of social media data, organizations as well as researchers use it to broaden their current understanding and get support in making informed and insightful decisions.

    This course will make use of the user generated data to explore and understand different forms of content and conversations taking place on social media platforms. The course will employ a number of digital methods to make sense of the data for people with varying interest and research questions in mind, whether it be politics, marketing, journalism, public health or academic research in general.

    By adopting a systematic approach, the course will support students in framing research questions, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data and presenting the findings. Through hands-on approach to a number of tools and techniques, students will be able to augment their understanding and present relevant implications about a topic. Students will examine the underlying conversations and content associated with an issue, theme, or a social, cultural, or political campaign of their choice to visualize the big picture. Please note that the course emphasis will be on Twitter data, although other platforms will be partially covered too.

     

     

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Applies in this implementation:

     

    The students will be evaluated on their performance in quizzes (after each online lecture session), case project proposal, and final report on the case project.

    The quizzes will be based on the assigned readings and/or the previous lecture. The quizzes must be submitted prior to the deadlines. It is highly recommended for the students to carefully go through the assigned reading and the lecture, as it will not only help them in successfully completing the weekly assignments but the case project as well.

    Each student will be required to demonstrate the understanding of tools, concepts, and readings by carrying out a case project. In the case project, students will choose a #hashtag(s) or @user of their own choice (active discussion topic) and conduct a detailed analysis by employing different tools and techniques that are relevant and supports in drawing conclusions for the research question(s). The findings should be detailed down in form of a final report. Further information about the case project will be provided in lecture 1.

    To sum up, the course is composed of online lectures, video tutorials, compulsory readings, quizzes, and a case project. Active participation and timely submissions is of significant importance to attain the best from this course. In order to successfully complete the course, the student must complete the following tasks.

    • Watch all the online lectures.
    • Keep up with all the assigned readings before the online lecture.
    • Active hand on approach to the tools and applications introduced during the lectures, as well as the ones listed in the schedule table.
    • Complete all the posted quizzes by the prescribed deadline.
    • Create a brief project plan of the planned case project.
    • Deliver the final case project by the provided deadline.
     

     

     

DETAILS

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    No prerequisites.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Description

Registration and further information