Chapter 9: Kiran Garimella on using WhatsApp data for computational social science.
An important chapter on why WhatsApp deserves far more attention in CSS, not only because of its scale, but because it opens a window onto digital life beyond the usual Western, open-platform focus.
Taha Yasseri
Chpater 8: @dirkhovy.bsky.social, M Gerondeau & J Globisz on text data and natural language processing.
A very useful chapter on why text is such a rich source for CSS, and how NLP can help with exploration, prediction, and generation; if used thoughtfully and with clear research goals.
Taha Yasseri
Chapter 7: @kwelle.bsky.social of @gesis.org & @indiiigo.bsky.social of Mannheim on using social media data in CSS. Social media provides rich digital traces of human behavior, but also raises serious methodological & ethical challenges, from platform bias to reproducibility. A great guide!
Taha Yasseri
Chapter 6: @lauraknelson.bsky.social from UBC Sociology on computational inductive research.
The chapter makes a strong case that unsupervised methods don’t replace theory: they reshape how we generate & validate it.
Induction, abduction, deduction, combined with transparency & reproducibility.
Taha Yasseri
Chapter 5: @martinarvidsson.bsky.social, Hedström, Jarvis & @marckeuschnigg.bsky.social on the intersection of Analytical Sociology and Computational Social Science.
Computational tools are most powerful when used to identify and test mechanisms, not just describe or predict aggregate patterns.
Taha Yasseri
In Chapter 4, Ralph Schroeder of @oii.ox.ac.uk argues that CSS needs a stronger theory, not just better data.
He proposes an AI-driven model of media agenda-setting that links media visibility, public attention, and political change. A big step toward cumulative media theory.
Taha Yasseri
Chapter 3: @helenmargetts.bsky.social & Cosmina Dorobantu on how CSS can improve public policymaking, from better detection and prediction to ethical, accountable use of AI in government. A powerful case for impact beyond academia. doi.org/10.4337/9781...
@oii.ox.ac.uk @lsedatascience.bsky.social
Taha Yasseri
Chapter 2: Duncan Watts & @davidlazer.bsky.social reflect on how the field has evolved from early simulation models to today’s large-scale data and experiments, and ask how can computational social science move from producing insights to having real societal impact? @nunetsi.bsky.social
Taha Yasseri
Thrilled to announce the Handbook of Computational Social Science is officially out! 956 pages, 118 authors, and truly global, interdisciplinary perspectives. Deep thanks to the contributors and anonymous reviewers who shaped this over 4 years. Buy your copy now!
@elgarpublishing.bsky.social
