China Social Science Review

No.2, 2025

 

 

He Mingsheng

 

The degree of match of network society research refers to the degree of match between the research method and object. From traditional network society research and to computational network society research to generative network society research, three matches and two methodological leaps can be observed. Among them, causal theory and empirical methods match well with mass networking technology, connection theory and computational methods match well with segmented networking technology, while universal networking technology have a high degree of suitability with generative theory and dynamic methods. The evolution of research tools is not a replacement, but more likely a symbiotic opportunity, and the different methodological systems can engage in a generic dialogue at the theoretical level.