Transformation of the methodological tools of political science for the analysis of political processes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31558/2617-0248.2026.11.8Keywords:
political science, methodology, artificial intelligence, Big Data, hybrid threats, civil society, political analysis, state, political processes, real-time mode, data privacy, algorithmic bias,Abstract
The article proves that the integration of Big Data and AI causes a paradigm shift in political science. The transformation of the object of political science under the influence of the digital revolution. Traditional methodological approaches (qualitative analysis, polling, classical statistics) are partially unable to comprehend new phenomena, such as real-time disinformation campaigns, microtargeting in social networks and algorithmic formation of public opinion. It is noted that digital political interactions generate unprecedented volumes of data, which form a new analytical environment for policy research. At the same time, the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies opens up opportunities for processing, modeling and interpreting such data. It is substantiated that as a result, a methodological gap arises between the speed of technological changes in the political environment and the slower adaptation of the academic tools of political science. It is emphasized that in the Ukrainian context this problem becomes particularly relevant due to the need to counter hybrid threats, analyze information influences and study public opinion in the context of information warfare. The aim of the article is to identify key areas of transformation of political science methodology under the influence of Big Data and artificial intelligence technologies, as well as to identify new analytical opportunities and methodological challenges facing modern researchers. It is concluded that the use of Big Data and AI significantly expands the analytical capabilities of political science, allowing to test theoretical models on large-scale data sets and to study political processes in real time. At the same time, new digital tools do not replace classical methods of political analysis, but require their integration into a comprehensive methodological system of modern political research.
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