CSS (Computational Social Science)approaches

1.Two ways to make the theoretical contributions using CSS approaches

1. Test the generalizability of existing theories.

• Behavior data

• Real social content

• Replicate analysis to subpopulation : different cultural/social contexts

• Replicate analysis top different periods

2. Theory building

•  Identity new measurement

• Identity concepts that were less studied

• Generate new hypothesis

2.A map for using CSS approaches

3.Reiterative and sequential approach

1. Reiterative （inductive + deductive归纳和演绎）：

1. Repeat models in the initial analysis until you identify things that are related to your general research question

2.  Objective: generate theory-driven and data-drive hypotheses

3. 3. Mainly at the discovery and measurement stage

2.  Sequentially （deductive）：

1. Test hypotheses using new data

2. Measure the same concept using new data

3. Objective: ensure measurement validity and avoid overfitting

4. Mainly at the inference stage

5. Not necessarily in one study

Grimmer et al., 2022