Research articles on INFORMATION & DATA

Election research in the age of regulated data access under the EU Digital Services Act

Philipp Darius, Hertie School
Johannes Breuer, Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS)
Simon Kruschinski, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences
Felicia Loecherbach, University of Amsterdam
Jasmin Riedl, University of the Bundeswehr Munich
Sebastian Stier, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences
PUBLISHED ON: 16 Feb 2026 DOI: 10.14763/2026.1.2080

In this paper, the authors discuss the implications of regulated data access under the European Digital Services Act for election research.

Institutionalising data solidarity? The making of expertise in the EU Social Economy Code of Conduct for data sharing

Dwayne Ansah, Utrecht University
Mai Ishikawa Sutton, Commons Network
Sophie Bloemen, Commons Network
Bonno Pel, Utrecht University
PUBLISHED ON: 6 Feb 2026 DOI: 10.14763/2026.1.2059

This paper offers an insider account of collaborative drafting of the EU Code of Conduct for Data Sharing in the Social Economy, revealing institutionalisation dynamics in data governance geared towards solidarity.

Open data meets data justice

Caterina Santoro, KU Leuven
Ramya Chandrasekhar, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)
Stefania Milan, University of Amsterdam
PUBLISHED ON: 20 Jan 2026 DOI: 10.14763/2026.1.2067

Building on research from critical data studies and public administration, we present a conceptual framework called ‘open data justice’, and illustrate how this framework can be translated in practice by governments to promote justice in their open data initiatives.

Avoiding the kitchen sink: A guide to mixed methods approaches within digital rights governance

Gabrielle Lim, University of Toronto
Noura Aljizawi, University of Toronto
Shaila Baran, University of Toronto
Nicola Lawford, MIT
PUBLISHED ON: 18 Nov 2025 DOI: 10.14763/2025.4.2044

In this article, we performed a scoping review and argue that mixed or multi-method designs can better support collaboration when thoughtfully applied. However, indiscriminately combining methods without clear justification—the so-called ‘kitchen sink’ approach—risks overcomplicating research agendas and diluting their insights.

Facebook, the EU and Russia’s war: Challenges of moderating authoritarian news

Julia Kling, University of Passau
Serge Poliakoff, University of Amsterdam
PUBLISHED ON: 11 Sep 2025 DOI: 10.14763/2025.3.2036

Despite several measures to curb their visibility, this study shows how Facebook mediates predominantly Russian state-aligned news during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine

How the new digital knowledge order is impacting science

Donya Alinejad, Utrecht University
PUBLISHED ON: 26 Aug 2025 DOI: 10.14763/2025.3.2031

To develop a response to what the new digital knowledge order means for science and scholarship, we need research and policy that focuses on the multiple ways platform power shapes academic knowledge production and communication.

Regulating pressing systemic risks – but not too soon?

Defne Halil, Maastricht University
Konrad Kollnig, Maastricht University
Aurelia Tamò-Larrieux, University of Lausanne
PUBLISHED ON: 25 Jun 2025 DOI: 10.14763/2025.2.2010

The EU’s 2022 Digital Services Act mandates data access for researchers to study platform risks, but delays and diverging opinions of authorities hold back the DSA’s practical implementation.

From threat to opportunity: Gaming the algorithmic system as a service

Marijn Sax, University of Amsterdam
Hao Wang, Wageningen University & Research
PUBLISHED ON: 6 May 2025 DOI: 10.14763/2025.2.2007

Gaming the system is often portrayed as a threat to platforms and services, but this alleged threat can also be turned into a commercial service which raises ethical questions on exploitative digital environments, equality, and the erosion of democratic values.

In this study, we developed a consumer survey to investigate the extent to which legislation can (and should) keep up with existing and changing social and ethical norms regarding the use of data for personalising online prices.