A systematic review of echo chamber research: comparative analysis of conceptualizations, operationalizations, and varying outcomes

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dc.contributor.authorHartmann, David
dc.contributor.authorWang, Sonja Mei
dc.contributor.authorPohlmann, Lena
dc.contributor.authorBerendt, Bettina
dc.date.accessioned2025-08-18T07:25:40Z
dc.date.available2025-08-18T07:25:40Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstractThis systematic review synthesizes research on echo chambers and filter bubbles to explore the reasons behind dissent regarding their existence, antecedents, and effects. It provides a taxonomy of conceptualizations and operationalizations, analyzing how measurement approaches and contextual factors influence outcomes. The review of 129 studies identifies variations in measurement approaches, as well as regional, political, cultural, and platform-specific biases, as key factors contributing to the lack of consensus. Studies based on homophily and computational social science methods often support the echo chamber hypothesis, while research on content exposure and broader media environments, such as surveys, tends to challenge it. Group behavior, cultural influences, instant messaging platforms, and short video platforms remain underexplored. The strong geographic focus on the United States further highlights the need for studies in multi-party systems and regions beyond the Global North. Future research should prioritize cross-platform studies, continuous algorithmic audits, and investigations into the causal links between polarization, fragmentation, and echo chambers to advance the field. This review also provides recommendations for using the EU’s Digital Services Act to enhance research in this area and conduct studies outside the US in multi-party systems. By addressing these gaps, this review contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of echo chambers, their measurement, and their societal impacts.
dc.identifier.citationHartmann, D., Wang, S. M., Pohlmann, L., & Berendt, B. (2025). A systematic review of echo chamber research: Comparative analysis of conceptualizations, operationalizations, and varying outcomes. Journal of Computational Social Sciences, 8(52), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-025-00381-z$
dc.identifier.citationHartmann, D., Wang, S. M., Pohlmann, L., & Berendt, B. (2025). A systematic review of echo chamber research: Comparative analysis of conceptualizations, operationalizations, and varying outcomes. Journal of Computational Social Sciences, 8(52), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-025-00381-z$
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s42001-025-00381-z
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-025-00381-z
dc.identifier.issn2432-2717
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.weizenbaum-library.de/handle/id/939
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsopen access
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectComputational social science
dc.subjectSystematic review
dc.subjectEcho chamber
dc.subjectFilter bubble
dc.subjectMeasurement modeling
dc.subjectDSA
dc.titleA systematic review of echo chamber research: comparative analysis of conceptualizations, operationalizations, and varying outcomes
dc.typeArticle
dc.type.statuspublishedVersion
dcmi.typeText
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.issue2
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.journaltitleJournal of Computational Social Sciences
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.volume8
local.researchgroupDaten, algorithmische Systeme und Ethik
local.researchtopicDigitale Technologien in der Gesellschaft
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