A Journal of Open
and Democratic Sociology
sectors 14/C1 and 14/C2 ISSN: 2035-5548 (ex 1724-451X)
The Lab’s Quarterly is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes research on contemporary social issues since 1999. It is recognized by the ANVUR as an academic journal in Area 14 of the Italian university system. The journal promotes dialogue among social sciences and welcomes submissions from young researchers. The journal covers topics such as epistemology, methodology, and theory of social sciences. The Lab’s Quarterly is an open access journal that allows free access to all its content.
Since 1999
A Journal of Epistemology, Methodology, and Theory in the Social Sciences
The Lab’s Quarterly covers a wide range of topics in the social sciences, such as epistemology, methodology, and theory. The journal explores how human knowledge is produced and used in different contexts, how data is collected and analyzed in social research, and how sociological theories explain contemporary social phenomena.
The Lab's Quarterly Volume XXVII issue 3 2025
Punziano G., Delli Paoli A. Navigating digital frontiers: methodological potentials and ethical challenges in social research. Editorial
Authors: Gabriella Punziano, Angela Delli Paoli Abstract This special issue, “Navigating digital frontiers: methodological and ethical challenges in social research”, will contributes to the debate about the implications of the complex interactions between digital technology, social research and social life.The…
Pizzul D., Caliandro A. The digital data double standard: economic value extraction versus scientific knowledge limitation and the opportunities of data donation
Authors: Dario Pizzul, Alessandro Caliandro Abstract Social science research with digital data faces ethical and technical challenges, often intensified by Research Ethics Committees (RECs). While RECs provide oversight, their criteria…
Acampa S. A new wave of social media APIs restrictions. A decade of challenge for digital social research
Authors: Suania Acampa Abstract Historically, APIs have enabled large-scale data collection, facilitating studies on critical issues such as disinformation, hate speech, and political polarization. However, since 2018, increasing API restrictions…
Ambrosio C., De Falco C. Studying algorithms in social sciences: a systematic review
Authors: Caterina Ambrosio, Ciro Clemente De Falco Abstract In recent years, the discourse surrounding algorithms and artificial intelligence has been extensively addressed in the social sciences. The dimensions of algorithms…
Punziano G., Padricelli G. M., Vettori A. Algorithmic feedback loops in soft science disciplines. An application of the systematic literature review on the evolution of definitions from 2000 to 2023
Authors: Gabriella Punziano, Giuseppe Michele Padricelli, Antonio Vettori Abstract In today’s digital society, consumer cultures and practices have been reshaped by digital platforms. Cultural entertainment consumption, such as movies and…
Matrella A., Cavagnuolo M., Capozza V. The use of artificial intelligence within social research: A classification proposal
Authors: Alfredo Matrella, Michela Cavagnuolo, Viviana Capozza Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently been applied to different areas of behavioral and social sciences, offering significant benefits at various stages of…
Pronzato R., Risi E. Research on and through generative AI? An inevitable entanglement
Authors: Riccardo Pronzato, Elisabetta Risi Abstract Since the release of ChatGPT to the public, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has become a primary concern for social researchers. Specifically, GenAI has been…
Molinari B. From digital traces to artificial intelligence: New boundaries from representativeness
Authors: Beba Molinari Abstract The abstract aims to highlight what contribution Artificial Intelligence can make in the field of social research by setting as a fixed point the tools to…
Delli Paoli A. On the ethics of social research in netnography
Authors: Angela Delli Paoli Abstract The paper aims to discuss the ethical challenges in netnography by highlighting the main dilemmas which develop around what counts as public versus private, whether…
Boriati D. Older people and digital discrimination. Promoting digital literacy to reduce biases in oline social research
Authors: Danilo Boriati Abstract In the digital age, older people are often marginalized and discriminated against in online social research due to their perceived lack of digital literacy. This bias…
Crescentini N., Rubin A. How are science museums perceived in italy? Tripadvisor as proxy of visitor studies on public engagement
Authors: Noemi Crescentini, Andrea Rubin Abstract Science museums, science centres and discovery centres (SMCs) are key spaces for dialogue between science and society. Their evolution has integrated scientific and social…
Varini M. Awaken in dreams. Old and new inequalities in future fashion
Authors: Michele Varini Abstract This study analyses the interaction between fashion and digital technologies, focusing on virtual environments such as video games. Traditionally, fashion has played a strong role in…
Picardi I., Serino M. Multi-planetary infrastructures and hybrid explorations: An analysis of structures of epistemic enrolment in online discourses on space missions
Authors: Ilenia Picardi, Marco Serino Abstract This paper explores the sociotechnical imaginaries involved in the construction of technoscientific knowledge as it is conveyed by space science institutions through websites and…
Monaco S. Social research in the metaverse. Innovation, implication and ethical challenge
Authors: Salvatore Monaco Abstract This article contributes to the academic debate on the Metaverse as both an object and a tool of social research, analyzing its potential, critical aspects, and…
D’Auria V. Angela Delli Paoli (2025), La netnografia nella ricerca sociale, Franco Angeli, Milano.
Authors: Valentina D’Auria DOI: https://doi.org/10.13131/unipi/0n24-2e13 Notes on contributors Valentina D’Auria is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education Sciences (University of Salerno). She received her PhD…
Cesare S. Giuseppe Maiello, Giuseppe Masullo (2024, eds), The Fields of Digital Research: Theoretical, Methodological and Application Challenges, McGraw Hill educational.
Authors: Stefano Cesare DOI: https://doi.org/10.13131/unipi/g82v-d647 Notes on contributors STEFANO CESARE holds a degree in Digital Sociology and Web Analysis from the Federico II University in Naples. His research interests lie…
EDITORIAL
BOARD
If you are a researcher or a student interested in submitting your work to our Journal, you should know that our Scientific Board consists of permanent reviewers who ensure the quality and originality of every article. You can contact them at: thelabs@sp.unipi.it.
To submit an article, please follow the guidelines in the SUBMIT page.
We use a double-blind peer review process to guarantee fairness and impartiality in our evaluations.
SCIENTIFIC
BOARD
Françoise
Albertini
(University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli)
Massimo
Ampola †
(University of Pisa)
Gabriele
Balbi
(University of Svizzera Italiana)
Matteo
Bortolini
(University of Padova)
Massimo
Cerulo
(University of Naples Federico II)
Franco
Crespi †
(University of Perugia)
Sabina
Curti
(University of Perugia)
Paolo
De Nardis
(Sapienza University of Rome)
Ricardo A.
Dello Buono
(Manhattan College New York)
David Fasenfest
(Wayne State University, USA)
Fabrizio
Fornari
(Università di Chieti-Pescara)
Roberta
Iannone
(Sapienza University of Roma)
Anna Giulia
Ingellis
(University of València)
Patrizia
Laudati
(Università Côte d’Azur – Nizza)
Mariano
Longo
(University of Salento)
Domenico
Maddaloni
(University of Salerno)
Gianpietro
Mazzoleni
(Università di Milano)
Stefan
Müller-Doohm
(University of Firenze)
Massimo
Pendenza
(University of Salerno)
Walter
Privitera
(University of Milano – Bicocca)
Antonio
Viedma Rojas
(UNED Madrid)
Vincenzo
Romania
(University of Padova)
Ambrogio
Santambrogio
(University of Perugia)
Simon
Susen
(City University of London)