Virtual research roundtable

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Funny thing about "conversations" on blogs, sometimes you have to bounce around different sites to follow along. Yesterday, I wrote Combining social media and traditional research, a follow-up to Validating social media data (it got a little heavy, I know—go watch the video again if you need a break). Today I'll give you a few links to posts that I think are related.

I'm particularly interested in putting the research discussion in the context of Pete's test: predicting outcomes. Research, after all, is a means to an end. How much does it matter whether social media research delivers the same type of results as traditional research methods? Is that the test, or is it the ability of the new methods to contribute to favorable outcomes?


4 Comments

I think that by default, companies with investment-oriented products like Collective Intellect (and maybe Jodange?) are betting that they *can* predict. But, perhaps for investment purposes, a 1-month accuracy window is sufficient?

The wealth management and investment companies I have spoken to have been lukewarm on the concept, but I could definitely see social media analytics as an extra "due diligence" tool to buttress the predictions of any investment company's internal proprietary systems.

Try substituting trading for investment. A month is a long time in that world. I think you're talking to a different part of the financial community than they are, and the time horizons are different.

Interesting ideas about combining social media and traditional research. If you're interested in a critique of social media analysis, check out Justin Kirby's article here:
http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/18195.asp

I would point out that at ASOMO, we have calculated the margin of error, provide clients with the proportion of total online sentiment we are analysing and click throughs to the original websites where the opinion appears.

Thanks, Jon. Justin's article is where I started a couple of posts back, actually. And your comments on ASOMO remind me... we need to schedule your briefing soon.

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About Nathan Gilliatt

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  • Voracious learner and explorer. Analyst tracking technologies and markets in intelligence, analytics and social media. Advisor to buyers, sellers and investors. Writing my next book.
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