Theorizing Digital Methods: Digital Sociology’s Potential Anchor?

Given the complexities of digital society and phenomena associated to digital age, digital sociology has been emerging as a vital subdiscipline within sociology - but not without challenges. We begin by briefly drawing on bibliometric analysis and controversy mapping of the theoretical foundations of digital sociology from the mid-2010s, thus underscoring the “polite divergence” that exists in interaction between different authors and their respective theoretical approaches. Consequently, we argue that the lack of controversy and constructive conflict in theoretical approaches between authors could result in the epistemological sterility of digital sociology. The main objective of this presentation is to examine and theorize its methodological grounds. As a result of the “crisis of an empirical sociology” proposed by Savage and Burrows and the emergence of digitally mediated communication on the internet, there has been an uptake in the application of digital methods in social research in the last decade. This aspect of digital sociology has the potential to be a crucial element in the further development of the discipline. In this regard, we aim to implement controversy mapping of digital methods debate and their respective authors. As controversies are the most fruitful areas of knowledge production, this could be the basis of the argument for the importance of digital sociology and its future development. We begin with a bibliometric analysis of the theoretical and reflexive work being done on digital methods. Utilizing Andrew Abbott's concept of “fractal distinctions,” we situate and map the most prolific directions and branches of digital methods, identifying the most fertile fields of controversy. Finally, we explore the potential challenges and implications arising from the asymmetric development of theoretical frameworks and methodological solutions within digital sociology, considering their impact on the discipline's future.