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Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling

In the digital age, as social media evolves into a new and significant centre for the dissemination of Chinese folk beliefs, the Malaysian Chinese have actively shared information about these folk beliefs on their social media platforms. The dissemination has transcended regional barriers, encouragi...

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Main Authors: Hu, Ning, Ho, Kee Chye, Fan, Pik Shy
Format: Article
Published: Springer Nature 2024
Subjects:
H Social Sciences (General)
Online Access:http://eprints.um.edu.my/45286/
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03066-6
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spelling my.um.eprints.452862024-10-07T03:54:42Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/45286/ Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling Hu, Ning Ho, Kee Chye Fan, Pik Shy H Social Sciences (General) In the digital age, as social media evolves into a new and significant centre for the dissemination of Chinese folk beliefs, the Malaysian Chinese have actively shared information about these folk beliefs on their social media platforms. The dissemination has transcended regional barriers, encouraging more Malaysian Chinese across various states to actively participate in public discussions on this topic. This study delves into Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs by analysing data from Facebook. A comprehensive examination of 4012 text posts was conducted using the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model for topic modelling. The analysis identified four main themes on social media: `Practitioners Worship', `Temple Activities', `Deity Legends', and `Merchandise about Deity Statues'. Based on integrating social construction theory and media ecology theory, the study first explores the varied constructors, including practitioners, temple organisations, media organisations, and merchants. Secondly, Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on social media present characteristics of utilitarianism, regional diversity, multiple social functions, flowing realms, strong Taoist elements, commercialisation, and a close relationship with the Spring Festival. Furthermore, `Safety and Peace', `Pray for Demands', and `Merits and Virtues' form an interconnected semantic nexus. Hence, the findings theoretically highlight the interaction and significance of social media in the construction and practice of folk beliefs within the Malaysian Chinese community. Practically, this research provides valuable insights into the understanding and dissemination of Malaysian Chinese religious culture in the digital era. Springer Nature 2024-04 Article PeerReviewed Hu, Ning and Ho, Kee Chye and Fan, Pik Shy (2024) Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, 11 (1). p. 547. ISSN 2662-9992, DOI https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03066-6 <https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03066-6>. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03066-6 10.1057/s41599-024-03066-6
institution Universiti Malaya
building UM Library
collection Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
content_provider Universiti Malaya
content_source UM Research Repository
url_provider http://eprints.um.edu.my/
topic H Social Sciences (General)
spellingShingle H Social Sciences (General)
Hu, Ning
Ho, Kee Chye
Fan, Pik Shy
Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling
description In the digital age, as social media evolves into a new and significant centre for the dissemination of Chinese folk beliefs, the Malaysian Chinese have actively shared information about these folk beliefs on their social media platforms. The dissemination has transcended regional barriers, encouraging more Malaysian Chinese across various states to actively participate in public discussions on this topic. This study delves into Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs by analysing data from Facebook. A comprehensive examination of 4012 text posts was conducted using the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model for topic modelling. The analysis identified four main themes on social media: `Practitioners Worship', `Temple Activities', `Deity Legends', and `Merchandise about Deity Statues'. Based on integrating social construction theory and media ecology theory, the study first explores the varied constructors, including practitioners, temple organisations, media organisations, and merchants. Secondly, Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on social media present characteristics of utilitarianism, regional diversity, multiple social functions, flowing realms, strong Taoist elements, commercialisation, and a close relationship with the Spring Festival. Furthermore, `Safety and Peace', `Pray for Demands', and `Merits and Virtues' form an interconnected semantic nexus. Hence, the findings theoretically highlight the interaction and significance of social media in the construction and practice of folk beliefs within the Malaysian Chinese community. Practically, this research provides valuable insights into the understanding and dissemination of Malaysian Chinese religious culture in the digital era.
format Article
author Hu, Ning
Ho, Kee Chye
Fan, Pik Shy
author_facet Hu, Ning
Ho, Kee Chye
Fan, Pik Shy
author_sort Hu, Ning
title Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling
title_short Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling
title_full Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling
title_fullStr Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling
title_full_unstemmed Malaysian Chinese folk beliefs on Facebook based on LDA topic modelling
title_sort malaysian chinese folk beliefs on facebook based on lda topic modelling
publisher Springer Nature
publishDate 2024
url http://eprints.um.edu.my/45286/
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03066-6
_version_ 1814047534531739648
score 13.211869

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