Global Communications Governance Research: Colliding Epistemologies and Methodologies

What risks arise with a turn to epistemologies and methodologies of science (data science, cultural analytics, web science or data analytics) in research aimed at critically examining the datafied world? This chapter reflects on the consequences of deploying these approaches and on whether they sustain a normative agenda invariably aligned with the interests of capital and corporate datafication strategies. The chapter argues for constant vigilance and efforts to ensure that researchers are sensitised to differences in the epistemologies and methodologies of science, humanities and social science traditions to ensure that these are not papered over by claims to inter- or transdisciplinarity.