Computational Approaches in Social Research: Continuities, Ruptures and Epistemological Tensions. Some Applied Cases

This seminar reflected on the role of computational tools in contemporary social research through two empirical experiences developed in Uruguay. On the one hand, it addressed the epistemological and methodological challenges associated with the computational processing of historical military archives from the Uruguayan dictatorship (1973–1985). On the other hand, it presented experiences of applied social research using longitudinal qualitative panels and combined strategies of qualitative analysis, text mining, and large language models (LLMs).

Drawing on these cases, the seminar explored the new opportunities, tensions, and dilemmas introduced by computational tools in social research, while also highlighting the continuing centrality of interpretation, context, and researchers’ responsibility in the production of knowledge.