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DIGITAL SOCIETY INITIATIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH

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Digital Publics and Automated Content Analysis for DOCA

Researchers Involved

Dr. Sabrina Heike Kessler

Dr. Daniela Mahl

Dr. phil. Linards Udris

research areas

Digital Technology
Political communication and public opinion

timeframe

2026 - 2026

contact

sabrina.h.kessler@foeg.uzh.ch
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Digital Publics and Automated Content Analysis for DOCA Project Image
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MAKING CONTENT ANALYSIS FOR DIGITAL PUBLICS OPEN, REUSABLE AND VISIBLE

The project expands the open-access Database of Variables for Content Analysis (DOCA) with a focus on Digital Publics, while strengthening the accessibility, reuse, and visibility of methodological knowledge. 

DOCA (https://www.hope.uzh.ch/doca) provides researchers and students with variables, operationalizations, codebooks, and methodological guidance for content analysis. The project extends this infrastructure by integrating approaches and variables relevant to the study of digital communication.

At the same time, the project places a strong emphasis on integrating automated content analysis approaches as well as on outreach and knowledge transfer. Through a targeted Call for Entries, dissemination across research communities, and additional methodological resources, it aims to broaden the use of DOCA across disciplines and make content analysis methods more accessible for research and teaching.

By combining methodological development, open science, and outreach, the project strengthens interdisciplinary exchange and supports transparent and comparable research on digital publics.

Background

Background

The open-access Database of Variables for Content Analysis (DOCA) collects, systematizes, and evaluates operationalizations for standardized content analysis. It provides researchers and students with tested variables, codebooks, and methodological guidance, thereby supporting transparent, comparable, and high-quality research across disciplines. With the increasing use of automated content analysis and the growing relevance of digital communication, there is a need to further develop methodological resources for analysing digital publics and to make them more visible and accessible.

Research question

Research question

Research and Development Focus

  1. How can DOCA be expanded to include variables and operationalizations for automated content analysis and the study of digital publics?
  2. How can methodological knowledge for content analysis be made more accessible, reusable, and useful for research and teaching?
  3. How can targeted outreach and dissemination strengthen the visibility and use of DOCA and promote methodological exchange across disciplines?
Project aim

Project aim

The project aims to further develop DOCA as an open-access research infrastructure by combining methodological expansion, open science, and outreach. A particular focus lies on automated content analysis and variables relevant to the study of digital publics. The project seeks to broaden DOCA’s interdisciplinary reach, facilitate the reuse and exchange of methodological knowledge, and strengthen its role as an accessible resource for researchers, educators, and students.