Wouters, Paul

Mapping discursive networks in controversies

Abstract

In science and technology studies, the analysis of a controversy about some technology or field of research has become an established research method. This is based on the idea that, by studying the social and discursive strategies of the various actors, one may discover patterns in knowledge making that otherwise stay hidden. The method has also been applied in the study of the public understanding of science, both with respect to the metaphors used as to the social strategies in the controversy. This "un-blackboxing" has so far not yet been used so often in Internet research. This paper explores the possibilities and difficulties of extending the controversy analysis to the domain of Internet based data on science related public controversies.

We have studied the debate over genetically modified food as far as this debate has been conducted over the Internet or has been represented in the Internet. This data has subsequently been analysed with semi-automated content-analytical tools. This has enabled us to analyse the debate as a discursive network as well as its evolution over time. Within this evolving network, different discursive strategies have been identified. The paper discusses the methods used with respect to their potential for their further use in the analysis of controversies with internet based data.