Study title

Twitter Use of Diplomats and Foreign Policy Professionals Survey 2021

Dataset ID Number

FSD3658

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3658

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Isotalus, Pekka (Tampere University)
• Rikkonen, Lassi (Tampere University)
• Haukkala, Hiski (Tampere University)

Abstract

The survey studied diplomats and foreign policy professionals who use Twitter as part of their work. The survey examined diplomats' involvement in Twitter communication and the value of Twitter interaction in the diplomatic context. 108 Icelandic, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Estonian diplomats responded to the survey.

The first set of questions focused on the respondents Twitter use and included questions on type of Twitter account the respondents used, how long they had been using Twitter, and how frequently they used Twitter for various activities (e.g. tweeting, retweeting, following other accounts). Satisfaction with Twitter regarding personal and organisational goals was also surveyed. Additionally, the respondents were asked how important active Twitter participation was for their work.

Next, the respondents' communication on Twitter was investigated with a series of statements (e.g. On Twitter I am very perceptive to the meaning of others' behaviour in relation to myself and situation). Those respondents who did not use Twitter for their work as a diplomat were asked about main reasons for doing so. Finally, the respondents were asked to assess how Twitter communication benefitted their country (e.g. maintaining important networks, increase in the amount of media exposure and publicity, increase in public impression that my country supports good causes).

The questionnaire is largely based on the use of two survey instruments. Interaction involvement was measured with the 18-item Interaction Involvement Scale, the wording of which was adapted to suit Twitter communication. The benefits of Twitter communication were measured with a 10-item Public Relations Value Assessment, which was also adapted to the context of the study.

Background variables included the respondent's place of work (geographical area), and position and personnel category in the embassy.

Keywords

Twitter; communications; diplomacy; international relations; public relations; social interaction; social media

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Information society (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• International politics and organisations (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Rikkonen, Lassi (Tampere University)

Time Period Covered

2021

Collection Dates

2021-01-07 – 2021-04-01

Nation

Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Iceland, Denmark

Geographical Coverage

Europe (EU member states), Europe (non EU member states), East, South-East, and South Asia, Middle East or North Africa, Russia or Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, North America and Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Finnish, Icelandic, Danish, Swedish and Estonian diplomats and foreign policy professionals working in embassies

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Purposive

In the early stages of data collection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of each target country was approached by email to inquire about the possibility of collecting data in cooperation with them. In all cases, an invitation to participate in the survey was sent to respondents by email. A link to the online questionnaire and a privacy notice were sent to the participants with the invitation to participate in the study.

For Iceland, Finland and Estonia, an invitation to participate in the study was sent by a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to embassy staff who were known to use Twitter in their work.

For Sweden and Denmark, the researcher was given permission by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send an invitation to participate in the study to all Swedish and Danish embassies.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: English.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Number of Cases and Variables

45 variables and 108 cases.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

To prevent identification of respondents, the researcher has removed background variables which contained information about the respondents' gender, age group, the country represented, and other social media platforms they used in addition to Twitter as part of their jobs.

Finnish respondents are over-represented in the data.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Isotalus, Pekka (Tampere University) & Rikkonen, Lassi (Tampere University) & Haukkala, Hiski (Tampere University): Twitter Use of Diplomats and Foreign Policy Professionals Survey 2021 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2023-06-29). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3658

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Rikkonen, L. & Isotalus, P. (2022). Twitter-diplomatiasta: Ulkopolitiikan ammattilaiset julkisen diplomatian viestijöinä. Prologi. Viestinnän ja vuorovaikutuksen tieteellinen aikakauslehti, 18(1), 6-26. https://doi.org/10.33352/prlg.119361

Rikkonen, L., Isotalus, P. & Haukkala, H. (2022). Listening in a masspersonal context: Examining professional diplomats' interaction involvement on Twitter [E-pub ahead of print]. International Journal of Listening. https://doi.org/10.1080/10904018.2022.2065276