Natural language processing

The integration of a new methodological paradigm into sociology

Authors

  • Renáta Németh Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Research Center for Computational Social Science
  • Júlia Koltai Centre for Social Sciences, Budapest; Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Social Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17356/ieejsp.v9i1.871
Abstract Views: 1239 PDF Downloads: 790

Keywords:

natural language processing, text analytics, text mining, institutialization, epistemology, causality

Abstract

Natural language processing (NLP) methods are designed to automatically process and analyze large amounts of textual data. The integration of this new-generation toolbox into sociology faces many challenges. NLP was institutionalized outside of sociology, while the expertise of sociology has been based on its own methods of research. Another challenge is epistemological: it is related to the validity of digital data and the different viewpoints associated with predictive and causal approaches.

In our paper, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of the use of NLP in sociology, offer some potential solutions to the concerns and provide meaningful and diverse examples of its sociological application, most of which are related to research on Eastern European societies. The focus will be on the use of NLP in quantitative text analysis. Solutions are provided concerning how sociological knowledge can be incorporated into the new methods and how the new analytical tools can be evaluated against the principles of traditional quantitative methodology.

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Published

2023-04-26

How to Cite

[1]
Németh, R. and Koltai, J. 2023. Natural language processing: The integration of a new methodological paradigm into sociology. Intersections. East European Journal of Society and Politics. 9, 1 (Apr. 2023), 5–22. DOI:https://doi.org/10.17356/ieejsp.v9i1.871.

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2023): Research Papers

Section

Articles

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