This document provides an overview of tools and methods for analyzing Twitter data, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. It discusses tools for collecting tweets like TAGS and downloading data into Excel. Methods of analysis covered include time series analysis, word frequency, sentiment analysis, and different qualitative approaches like content analysis, discourse analysis, and thematic analysis using NVivo. Challenges with the new Twitter v2 API for academic research are also mentioned.

1. Practical ways to
analyse Twitter Data
– new challenges
By: Scott Turner, Canterbury Christ Church University
@scottturneruon
By: Olivia Kelly, The Open University
@OliviaKellyOU

2. Distance Learners
Quick overview of
some tools
Presentation for
#SocMedHE22
By: Scott Turner, Canterbury Christ Church University
@scottturneruon

3. Socioviz.net

4. https://nodexlgraphgallery.org/Pages/Default.aspx

5. https://nodexlgraphgallery.org/Pages/Graph.a
spx?graphID=285855

6. Hidden secrets

7. Distance Learners
Perspectives on
analysing Twitter
data:
Textual analysis
Presentation for
By: Olivia Kelly, The Open University
@OliviaKellyOU

8. Textual analysis of tweets
Content analysis Discourse analysis Thematic analysis
Method to study and/or
retrieve meaningful information
from text
Method to study the way
language is used in context
Method to identify, analyse and
report patterns (themes) in
data
Examines the content Examines the language Examines the content
Mixed method Mainly qualitative Purely qualitative

9. Simple process to collect tweets
TAGS to collect tweets Download as Excel file
1
2
3

10. Analysing the data
Within TAGS (Google sheet) Within Excel
• Tweet information
• Time series analysis
• Word frequency
• Sentiment analysis

11. Using NVivo for content analysis
• Many universities offer free access
• Easy to use the basics
• Lots of help videos online
• Can collect tweets

12. Coding - Inductive
Automatic coding - system creates codes
Easy to do but risks
the algorithm
missing important
underlying themes
in your text.
Self-coding (thematic analysis)
Takes a lot more time but allows for your full understanding of the data for
your research project. Can add and adapt codes as you go in NVivo.

13. Coding - Deductive
Self-coding based on existing frameworks – Social presence indicators
in a Community of Inquiry:
Category Indicators Subcategory Examples from my data
Affective Expressions of Emotions Positive Phew, !!!, heart emojis, x, ‘I’m excited’
Negative Scared, nervous, angry
Use of humour Lol, sarcasm, jokes, wink or laughing emojis
Self-disclosure OU study related Current OU study or modules
Not OU related Personal information eg. Single parent/mental health issues/disability
Interactive Reply @mention reply
Quoting another’s message Retweet Only counted in this single indicator
Quote retweet New message coded for other indicators
Referring to other message Giving advice / answering
questions
‘Speak to your tutor about an extension’
Mentions earlier tweet ‘That was a great module.’
Asking questions ‘What module are you studying?’
Complimenting/
Appreciation
‘Thanks’, ‘you’ll do great’, ‘well done’, ‘Congratulations’
Agreeing ‘Yes’, ‘same here’
Cohesive Vocatives Name used in tweet i.e. ‘Thanks Sam’ or @mention later in tweet
Group pronouns Our, we, us, thanks everyone, ‘my fellow students’, module hashtag
Greetings Social greetings Hi, Happy Birthday, see you soon, Enjoy 👍
Good luck Good luck

14. Coding - Deductive
• Create codes and levels
• Quickly see totals of each code
• Click on any code to see all examples
of it
• Use quantitative data from coding
for statistical analysis
• Can carry out coding comparisons
among multiple coders

15. The new challenges
Presentation for
By: Scott Turner, Canterbury Christ Church University
@scottturneruon

16. Twitter v2 API
• https://developer.twitter.com/en

17. Academic Account
• https://developer.twitter.com/en/use-cases/do-research/academic-
research
• Twitter research application
https://developer.twitter.com/en/products/twitter-api/academic-
research/application-info
• Still exploring!!!

18. Might not be available

19. Slightly more positive
• Sharing Twitter Research
https://twitterresearch.submittable.com/submit

20. Some of these slides are available
https://figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/The_National_Teaching_Repository
• https://figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/articles/presentation/Practical_ways_t
o_analyse_Twitter_Data_quantitative_and_qualitative_/21923166