English

Measuring Online Behavior Change with Observational Studies: a Review

Computers and Society 2025-12-15 v3 Social and Information Networks Physics and Society

Abstract

Exploring online behavior change is imperative for societal progress in the context of 21st-century challenges. We analyze 148 articles (2000-2023) focusing on behavior change in the digital space and build a map that categorizes behaviors, behavior change detection methodologies, platforms of reference, and theoretical frameworks that characterize the analysis of online behavior change. Our findings reveal a focus on sentiment shifts, an emphasis on API-restricted platforms, and limited integration of theory. We call for methodologies able to capture a wider range of behavior types, diverse data sources, and stronger theory-practice alignment in the study of online behavior and its change.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2310.19951,
  title  = {Measuring Online Behavior Change with Observational Studies: a Review},
  author = {Arianna Pera and Gianmarco de Francisci Morales and Luca Maria Aiello},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2310.19951},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T13:06:36.242Z