Presented at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Computer-Aided Qualitative Research 24-25 February 2011, Macau SAR Organised by: Merlien Institute For upcoming conferences, please visit: http://www.merlien.org

1. Symbolic Convergence Theory and
Analysis of Online Discussion
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN WEB 2.0
ASIA-PACIFIC, Macau, Feb 25, 2011
Wu Mei, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Communication
University of Macau

2. Objectives
Conceptualizing the nature of online discussion as a
transitional and dynamic content which is created
through an individually initiated network
of interactive group communication;
Demonstrating how Symbolic Convergence Theory
(SCT) analysis is conducted in uncovering an
interactive process of rhetoric vision creation among
online discussants;
Evaluating the application of computer-aided
qualitative research tools in the SCT analysis

3. Dynamic content
Online discussion is a particular type of
mediated-content generated through a variety
of social media:
Individually generated
Improvised
Interactive
Open inference
Transitional
Dynamic

4. In contrast, this type of content is different
from other mediated content known as
traditional mass media content which
Institutionally generated
Well structured
Non-interactive
Controlled inference
Fixed
Static

5. Analyzing dynamic content
Methods commonly used in analyzing
traditional media content
Quantitative:
Content analysis
Frame analysis
Qualitative
Discourse analysis

6. Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT)
SCT is often used in analyzing group
communication
It describes dynamic tendencies in the
systems of social interaction
It focuses on the symbolic and shared
process of group discourse in generating
meanings
It uncovers fantasy themes collectively
created and entertained in group discussion

7. Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT)
Setting User
User
Character
Rhetoric User
Vision Action
User
Sanction Agent User
Fantasy Theme User
User

8. Case study 1
Debating China-India Relations on the Internet: Netizens’
Dialogue for Constructive International Politics
Focusing on the first cross-country online debate on
Sino-Indo relations, the “Sino-Indo Internet Users
Debate Contest”, which was organized by Global
Times, one of the most popular newspapers in China
on Dec 1, 2009, the study applies Fantasy Theme
Analysis (FTA) and identifies two rhetoric visions and
related key elements in the debate including: fantasy
themes, setting themes, action themes, plotlines etc

9. First Sino-Indo Internet Users
Debate Contest
It was launched at
20:00 on Dec 1,
2009 by Global
Times (GT), one of
the most popular
newspapers in
China. The debate
lasted for 2 hours.
21 debaters spoke
with 123 postings.

10. Debate structure
Moderators, debaters and
participants:
Super Moderator
Sergeant
Debaters
Participants can only
speak in another thread
set specifically for the
audience
Rules of the Debate
Contest:
Insulting words are
forbidden
If any debater insults
others seriously, we'll
directly cancel his
qualification;
Only contents on the
debate topic are
permitted;
Members who are not
debaters are not allowed
to post in the "Debate
contest thread“

11. Debate structure
Two additional
platforms at the
same time:
Special Thread for
Debate supporters
【中印网友友谊辩论
Chinese translation
(中印网友辩论赛火
翻译贴)

12. Partners or competitors
The theme of the debate:
Are China and India competitors or partners?
By lot, the Chinese team was for “Partners”
The Indian team for “Competitors”
Three debaters: Luke, Victor Cao and
Tarunraju were awarded the “Best Debaters”
prize after the debate.

13. Argumentation structure
Partners
Supportive argument (Chinese) Opposing argument (India)
Commonness Cooperation occurs only in
Long history of civilization Strong/Weak; Equally Strong
Suffering under western domination Economic ties have a negative
impact on India
Developing countries China is hostile to India
Rising opportunities
Cooperation means India giving
Cultural/technological exchange in
history up part of its land
Common tasks (domestic): better life Cooperation is costly for India
for their own people
Cooperation likes a marriage
Common responsibilities (world):
better world which needs treaties
Common interests
Common enemies
India needs China's cooperation to develop
the economy
For the purpose of catching up with
developed countries
Cooperation is a world trend
Win-win situation

14. Argumentation structure
Competitors
Supportive (India) Opposing (Chinese)
Constructive No time & energy for
competition is good competition
Competition is a Vicious competition
driving force is bad
Competition is Other powers will
exciting take advantage of
Healthy competition the competition
is good between China and
India
Win-lose situation

15. Contentions and defense
India's contention (of
China) Chinese defense
China fears India's rise Not fear of India if India
rises peacefully
Blocking ADB's loan to India It involves a disputed region
Kashmiri visa
Supporting Pakistan No interference in Kashmiri
Gwadar Port
China's opposition at NSG Rumours
Opposing India's seat at No other UNSC permanent
UNSC as a permanent members support it
member China also accommodating
Not treating India equally as Initially stopped the 1962
India treats China war
Tibet vs Kirshmiri
Tibet-Xinjinag vs
Pakistan
Support Beijing Olympics

16. Contentions and defense
China's contention (of India's defense
India)
Supporting Dalai Dalai Lama is a
Lama who’s refugee, and India
engaged in sabotage does not permit him
against China to stage political
Used by US to activities against
contain China China in India.
Housing terrorists
Not signing the Non-
Proliferation Treaty
(NPT or NNPT)

17. Fantasy Theme Analysis
Chinese
debaters
Sanction Master
Rhetoric vision Fantasy theme Setting Characters Action Agent Analogue
China and India are like
brothers in a family. It's
natural that a China and India
partnership between have a lot in Harmony, peace,
the two will benefit both common Ancient history China, India Buddhism in China win-win Social, practical
Sugar operation,
China, India papermaking to India
Westerners China and India suffered
Modern history (villains) under western domination
China, India as
developing
Current stage countries Both are rising
Westerners Happy to see China and
(villains) India fight and both fail
Partnership
beneficial for both Bilateral trade China, India Growth in trade volume
Economic Improvement for people's
development China, India lives

18. Fantasy Theme Analysis
Indian debaters
Sanction Master
Rhetoric vision Fantasy theme Setting Characters Action
Agent Analogue
China has an Reciprocal
ego which is relation,
threatened by China is hostile mutual
India to India UN China China's objection respect Social
NSG China China's objection
ADB China China's block
Pakistan China China's support
China issues
Kashmiri China different visa
Not allow him to
India is more launch political
accommodating Tibet Dalai Lama activities
Beijing
Olymincs India Support
Not support
Tibet/Xinjiang India separatists' forces

19. Key words and phrases
Chinese debaters Indian debaters
Two sincere brothers Asymmetric
in a family partnership
Two poor brothers Hostile
Indian friends Threat
Chinese ego
Team work situation Weaker competitor
Solve our conflicts in a They are wrongly
friendly manner feeling threatened by a
small power
China is always
reaching out with an
olive branch
Peaceful rising

20. Images: Chindia?

21. Case 2
Rhetoric visions of China during Beijing
Olympics in discussions of online
communities of ASEAN countries
Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand

22. Symbolic Convergence Analysis
Fantasy Type
China is a cruel despot who enslaves its people and fools the whole world with lies to
glorify China itself.
lip-synch Fake ethnic children Forced gym training
Junior gymnasts training in
Setting Open Ceremony Open Ceremony China
Theme The “Bird's Nest” The “Bird's Nest”
1. The red-dressed girl as 1. Young gymnasts as casualty
1. The fake ethnic children
a fake singer were commiserated
2. China as the liar was
Character 2. The real singer as a 2. China as the devil was
criticized
Theme casualty was supported accused
3. People of the world were
3. China as the liar was 3. America was hero compare
fooled with China
criticized
China fakes: the little girl
China fakes: that the ethnic
play in the open ceremony China forced children to take
Action children in the open
was not the real singer in the gym training to cultivate
Theme ceremony were not real
order to glorify China gymnasts
ethnic people
itself.
Sanction
Value of truth Value of truth Human right
Agent
Table 1: the constructed fantasy type

23. China fakes

24. Fantasy theme 1
The China rejects
Setting Theme The Olympics arena for table tennis
China-born Singaporean athletes as China’s rejects were
Character Theme abominated for their “avarice”
China-born athletes got an Olympic medal for Singapore.
But it was considered as a “fake medal”. Netizens didn’t like
Action Theme those China-born athletes because they were thought had no
any adherence to Singapore. Their motivation is just money.
Sanction Agent Loyalty to nation
Table 2: fantasy theme I

25. Fantasy theme 2
China is Competitor
SgForum.com MalaysiaToday.com
Singapore government’s National economic
Setting Theme investment to imported foreign development
talents
1. The imported Chinese 1. Chinese migrants as
athletes as enemy competitors were shown
Character Theme 2. Local athletes should be
hostility
given more support 2. China as potential enemy
Chinese immigrant athletes China and Chinese migrant
seized the resources of local is showing a stronger and
athletes. It makes local stronger power in effecting
Action Theme netizens feel angry and the economy of the country.
worried about it It makes local people worry
that they may “take over” the
country.
Sanction Agent The due rights and welfare of the nationals
Table 3: fantasy theme II

26. Fantasy theme 3
China is the cultural root
1. Family ancestry places in China
Setting Theme 2. The migration of Chinese in the earlier time
1. The father or grandfather generations of local ethnic
Chinese who came from China
Character Theme
2. Chinese immigrants in earlier times in general
The father or grandfather generations of netizens came from
Action Theme China, settled and lived there for generations in SE Asia.
Sanction Agent Respect parents & cultural roots
Table 4: fantasy theme III

27. Fantasy theme 4
Chinese are “Jews of the East”
1. No concrete place but throughout the SE Asia
Setting Theme 2. The historical development of SE Asia.
3. The development of the country today and before
1. China as an investor brought in wealth and chance
2. Chinese migrants as constructors of the country, hard
Character Theme working and brilliant
3. China and Chinese are avaricious. They are enemies who
seized the resources of local people.
1. Chinese migrants contributed a lot to the economic
development of SE Asian countries
Action Theme
2. China cooperates with SE Asia and makes huge
investment to this area.
The ability of making money
Avarice is villainous. China is great. China and Chinese
Sanction Agent
and Chinese are dangerous. can help locals for better
development.
Table 5: fantasy theme IX

28. CAQDAS
We found it difficult to use currently available
CAQDAS tools for such interactive analysis
as they are all based on dealing with long
files, but not one line messages.

30. Nvivo example:
Initial data is organized as Cases
Individual posting a case?
For interactive content, it is infeasible and
unnecessary to have every posting organized as a
case
Individual user as a case?
This will eliminate the initial interactive pattern of
discussion in the primary data. To study dynamics, it is
important to retain the data in its initial interactive
pattern
Postings in one standard period as a case?
It does not make sense for further analysis in Nvivo
We finally used Excel to conduct the analysis

31. Q&A
Thank You

32. Presented at the Asia-Pacific conference on
Computer-Aided Qualitative Research
24 & 25 Feb 2011, Macau SAR
For more information about our upcoming conferences
Please visit: http://www.merlien.org