Computational methods for the analysis of climate change communication: Towards an integrative and reflexive approach

Abstract

Computational methods, in particular text‐as‐data or Natural Language Processing (NLP) approaches, have become popular to study climate change communication as a global and large‐scale phenomenon. Scholars have discussed opportunities and challenges of these methods for climate change communication, with some proponents and critics taking strong positions, either embracing the potential of computational methods or critically questioning their value. Mirroring developments in the broader social scientific debate, we aim to bring both sides together by proposing a reflexive, integrative approach for computational research on climate change communication: We reflect on strengths (e.g., making data big and small, nowcasting observations) and weaknesses (e.g., introducing empiricist epistemologies, ignoring biases) of computational approaches. Moreover, we also provide concrete and constructive guidance on when and how to integrate (or not integrate) these methods based on theoretical considerations. We thereby understand computational methods as part of an ever‐increasing, diverse toolbox for analyzing climate change communication. This article is categorized under: The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Knowledge and Practice The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Sociology/Anthropology of Climate Knowledge

Content Analysis, Construct Validity, and Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Technical and Professional Communication and Graduate Research Preparation

“…As Lauer et al (2018) suggested, sometimes AI tools are treated as black boxes. We also share the concerns raised by Schäfer and Hase (2023) that computational methods, if used uncritically, risk reintroducing empiricist epistemologies that trade human researcher bias for precise measurements of the wrong constructs or for data-driven bias. In this case, the black box of AI would be used to launder uncritical and unrigorous work, ultimately leading to invalid results.…”

“…Such a focus enables graduate students to assess the affordances and trade-offs of choosing particular methods, especially computationally based ones. Adding construct validity to graduate training, then, can direct the field in the reflexive and integrative direction between a rejection of computational methods and an uncritical acceptance of them (Schäfer & Hase, 2023).…”

Creative and Happy Individuals Concerned about Climate Change: Evidence Based on the 10th Round of the European Social Survey in 22 Countries

“…The above-mentioned findings could help in designing effective climate change communication strategies (e.g., [152][153][154][155][156]). If creative and happy individuals are indeed more concerned about climate change, then tailored messaging and campaigns could be developed, leveraging emotional and creative inclinations as well as encouraging participation in significant sustainability projects, programs, and other activities, including sustainability communication within the frame of citizen science [157]. The findings of this study might also have implications for policy development; if creative and happy individuals are more concerned about climate change, policymakers could consider their perspectives when crafting climate policies, potentially leading to more effective and widely accepted solutions.…”

Reflecting on the Science of Climate Tipping Points to Inform and Assist Policy Making and Address the Risks they Pose to Society

“…Public awareness of the greenhouse effect has increased steadily since the mid-1980s (Nisbet and Myers 2007). Many different aspects of anthropogenic climate change have featured in the news media and innovative ways of analyzing the growing corpus of media coverage are being applied (Hase et al 2021;Schäfer and Hase 2023). Regarding climate tipping points, the media coverage has steeply increased since about 2017, when also digital news media showed an accelerating mention of this and related terms (Bellamy 2023).…”