Open AccessTHE SHAPE OF PLATFORM STUDIES: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL METHODOLOGICAL MODEL FOR A VICISSITUDINOUS CONCEPT
Author(s) -
Nathan Rambukkana,
Gemma de Verteuil
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
selected papers of internet research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2162-3317
DOI - 10.5210/spir.v2021i0.12229
Subject(s) - affordance , sociotechnical system , computer science , software , field (mathematics) , embeddedness , point (geometry) , interpersonal communication , human–computer interaction , data science , world wide web , knowledge management , sociology , programming language , geometry , mathematics , pure mathematics , communication , anthropology
The study of platforms is on the rise in communication studies,science and technology studies (STS), game studies, internet studies, and the study ofhuman-machine communication (HMC). While originally platform studies emerged from hardwarestudies as an integrated attempt to study the hardware, software, code, marketing, and useof computational technologies—especially, early on, videogame consoles, but never limited tothem—its use has been broadened to include the study of software platforms, such as socialmedia sites, and their user affordances, algorithmic decision making, terms of service,background code environments, and embeddedness in neoliberal capitalism: selling user data,acting as advertising mediums, etc. While a fruitful field with much work developed, thereis a noticeable dearth of methodological theorising on the topic, even as there are numeroustheoretical explorations. How exactly does one $2 platform studies? We propose amultidimensional approach to platform studies, in which work may be located along at leastthree major axes: computational—sociotechnical, pragmatic—critical, andinterpersonal—structural. These three dimensions of platform studies are combinable,provisional, and subject to extension. While the three dimensions offered up for discussionhere cannot speak to the entirely of what platform studies $2 or $2 , together and as astarting point these initial three define the shape of platform studies, track the work ithas already done, and offer a solid framework and model for futureinvestigations.