A New Web-Based Big Data Analytics for Dynamic Public Opinion Mapping in Digital Networks on Contested Biotechnology...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Public Opinion
• Digital Network Analysis
• Scientific Controversy

Background:

• Public opinion's scientific value is debated, with no consensus on definition or measurement.
• Traditional opinion polls suffer from sampling bias and cannot capture opinion dynamics.
• Controversial biotechnology applications increasingly spill into public and political discourse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of web-based big data digital network analytics for understanding public opinion on controversial biotechnology.
• To use stem cell therapies as a case study to demonstrate this novel approach.
• To compare digital network analysis with traditional opinion polls in measuring public opinion.

Main Methods:

• Web-based big data digital network analytics applied to stem cell therapy controversies.
• Analysis of web entities and their dynamic aggregation to map opinion movement.
• Comparison of findings with traditional large-scale surveys like the Eurobarometer of Biotechnology.

Main Results:

• Digital network analysis reveals "promise centeredness" as a key aspect of distributed meaning in public opinion on stem cell therapies.
• This approach captures the "movement" of public opinion, complementing polls' limitations.
• Findings contrast with survey data, highlighting a divergence in perceived public acceptance based on regulation versus potential benefits.

Conclusions:

• Web-based big data network analysis provides a valuable complement to traditional opinion polls for studying public opinion.
• This method offers insights into opinion dynamics, distributed meanings, and sense-making, especially for emerging technologies.
• The approach has implications for democratically governing new technologies by better understanding public perception.