Internet Social Science Experiment:A New Approach to Behaviorand Social Studies in the Digital Age

doi:10.13438/j.cnki.jdxb.2018.02.004

Abstract

Abstract: Internet social science experiment is a new type of stochastic control experiment method that arises with the digitization of daily life.Taking the Internet space thatnaturally occurs as its field,it scientifically explores and examines the causal mechanism hidden in the online behavior and the Internet phenomena.As a new development of the field experiment method in the digital age,Internet social science experiment follows the basic requirements of the field experiment method such as "theory first","natural occurrence","random grouping","high control" and "external intervention" on the one hand;on the other hand,it also shows some unique characteristics due to the changes of the research object and the experimental environment,including a large-scale,stable and diverse pool of subjects,a large number of sample data breaking through time and space constraints,automation of the experimental process,real-time record of experimental data and view of attention beyond the microscopic individual level.Although this method still has some defects,the existing applications have proved that there is undoubtedly great potential for the development in social science research.

Key words: digital age, research method, experimental study, Internet, Internet social science experiment

HAO Long. Internet Social Science Experiment:A New Approach to Behaviorand Social Studies in the Digital Age[J]. Journal of Jishou University（Social Sciences）, DOI: 10.13438/j.cnki.jdxb.2018.02.004.

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