The future of online communications
Media in general, and online media in particular, have become a highly influential part of social and community life for many people. Hence, it is important to predict and provide for future demands. This was the aim of the EU-funded project 'Online communication analysis: Methods for multimodal, networked communication' (ONCOA). The two-year undertaking studied online communication via a case study of news media, and worked to provide methods for such analysis. The project completed six of eight tasks during its first phase. The remainder, training goals, were achieved during the second phase. The latter provided opportunities for broadening a network of collaborators, and for developing capabilities in complex data analysis. ONCOA developed an innovative method for analysing online communication. The method involved combining quantitative techniques for text and content analysis, with semi-automated qualitative image analysis. Such use of large datasets was a new introduction to social studies. A similarly new element was incorporation of user perspectives into traditional text analysis studies. The enlarged network of associates led to an international knowledge transfer programme: Online Research at Large. One exchange was realised and two more were planned. A funding body was also established. ONCOA developed the field of online communications analysis. The work provided insights into online news media, and enabled information exchanges.
