DOI

10.17645/mac.v10i2.5042

Date of this Version

4-29-2022

Keywords

Digital trace data, online communities, organizational communication, systems theory

Abstract

Much early communication research was inspired by systems theory. This approach emphasizes that individuals and groups use communication to interact with and respond to their larger environment and attempts to outline the ways that dif‐ ferent levels interact with each other (e.g., work groups within departments within firms). Many concepts from systems theory—such as emergence and feedback loops—have become integral parts of communication theories. However, until recently, quantitative researchers have struggled to apply a systems approach. Large‐scale, multilevel trace data from online platforms combined with computational advances are enabling a turn back toward systems‐inspired research. I out‐ line four systems‐based approaches that recent research uses to study online communities: community comparisons, indi‐ vidual trajectories, cross‐level mechanisms, and simulating emergent behavior. I end with a discussion of the opportunities and challenges of systems‐based research for quantitative communication scholars.

Comments

This is the publisher's version of Foote, J. (2022). A Systems Approach to Studying Online Communities. Media and Communication, 10(2), 29-40. doi:https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v10i2.5042

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