Hackathons and data sprints in sociology : the invisibilization of data shaping
Since 2010, new research formats such as hackathons and data sprints have been developed in the field of digital research in sociology. Over a noticeably brief period, these events propose to analyze digital or digitized data and present the initial results. However, we have observed that these “short-form method » often relegate in the shadows the preparation of the data to focus on for the exploration and the visualization of datasets. As the coordinators of a research hackathon on the Digital Republic consultation, we observed the preparations required for this kind of event. Observations that highlight the critical work of « data shaping ». From the collection of data to its availability for the event, these processes are invisible by these short-form methods. Moreover, this study reveals a set of political stakes around data and open data, which are included in the technical choices made by the actors during this whole process.