New radicals: digital political engagement in post-referendum Scotland: final report on pilot project to the communities and cultrue network+.

McLaverty, Peter; Baxter, Graeme; MacLeod, Iain; Tait, Elizabeth; Göker, Ayşe; Heron, Michael

Abstract

The main aim of this study will be to analyse the transition of social media activism since the Scottish referendum, in order to establish whether the related activism is sustained over a longer timescale, particularly in relation to younger voters. The objectives of the proposed study will be: To map and disaggregate post-referendum social media activity using social network analysis techniques To investigate the discourses and emerging narratives of the groups using digital ethnographic research To investigate the breadth and depth of engagement by conducting interviews with members of the groups (including political parties and civic campaign groups) To conduct a targeted investigation of engagement of young voters (especially those aged 16-17 at the time of the referendum) to determine whether the engagement levels in relation to the referendum are translating into broader engagement with politics.

• Report Type: Research Report
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2015
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-7268
• Institution Citation: MCLAVERTY, P., MACLEOD, I., TAIT, E., BAXTER, G., GOKER, A. and HERON, M. 2015. New radicals: digital political engagement in post-referendum Scotland: final report on pilot project to the communities and cultrue network+. Working papers of the Communities and Culture Network+ [online], 6. Available from: http://www.communitiesa...re.org/projects/outputs
• Keywords: Scottish independence referendum; Young first time voters; Social media activism
• Publisher URL: http://www.communitiesandculture.org/projects/outputs