大数据:作为一种方法论的追溯与质疑

Big Data: Retrospect and Queries from the Perspective of Methodology

通过对大数据研究的国内外文献进行编码分析,发现国内传播学研究对大数据方法的界定可以分为五种类型,所指代的含义复杂多样,而国际学术界并未将大数据作为一种研究方法进行运用。无论是把"大数据方法"理解为具体的技术手段或定量方法或数据挖掘、搜集和分析的行为,都没有体现出其在本质上的突破性的创新,将"大数据方法"作为一种创新性的研究方法来看待也缺乏严谨的科学依据。

By investigating both domestic and foreign literatures of big data, the current research found that the understanding of "big data method" in domestic communication field could be categorized into five different types, and the concept of "big data method" had been assigned different meanings. However, according to the analysis, the term "big data method" barely appeared in international research field, which suggested the China-exclusive nature of this concept. The understanding regarding "big data method", either as a specific technique or as a quantitative research method or as behaviors of data mining, collection and analysis, all failed to support essential breakthrough in nature. Therefore, it is not rigorous nor scientific to regard the "big data method" as an innovative research method.