Online discussion and the 2014 Scottish independence referendum: Flaming keyboards or forums for deliberation?. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quinlan, Stephen; Shephard, Mark; Paterson, Lindsay
• Is Part Of: Electoral studies. Volume 38(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Referendums -- Deliberation -- Discussion forums -- Scottish independence -- Online content analysis; Elections -- Periodicals; Voting -- Periodicals; 324.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2015.02.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-3794

Abstract

Abstract: Referendums often fail to live up to a deliberative standard, with many characterised by low levels of knowledge, disinterest and misinformation, negativity, and a focus on extraneous issues to which voters are voting. But social media offers new avenues for referendums to incorporate a greater deliberative dimension. Through a content analysis of BBC discussion forums, we test whether online discussion of the Scottish independence referendum has deliberative characteristics. Results suggest a mixed picture with conversation displaying some deliberative features (low incidences of flaming/discussion of referendum issues). However, low levels of discussion intensity, dominance by a few, little knowledge exchange, and high gender inequality illustrate that online referendum discussion lacks deliberative characteristics, implying that social media are not a panacea for referendum deliberation.