I will use Twitter data to assess the popularity and reach of false claims affecting Latinos regarding Covid-19, the 2020 election, and the Biden presidency. I also plan to characterize these data using text analysis methods in order to recover general themes or topics, and how they varied as a function of geography, time, and user characteristics. I have access to the Twitter academic API.

Selected candidate(s) can receive a stipend directly from the faculty advisor. This is not a guarantee of payment, and the total amount is subject to available funding.

Faculty Advisor

  • Professor: Yamil Velez
  • Center/Lab:
  • Yamil Velez is a political scientist at Columbia University. His research explores different facets of the immigrant experience, with a specific focus on how geography and information environments shape political incorporation and engagement. He is currently working on several projects related to misinformation, fact-checking, and Latino-oriented media. His research has been published in leading journals such as Political Analysis, Journal of Politics, American Journal of Political Science, and Political Behavior.

Project Timeline

  • Earliest starting date: 9/15/21
  • End date: 5/15/21
  • Number of hours per week of research expected during Fall 2021: ~10
  • Number of hours per week of research expected during Summer 2021: ~0

Candidate requirements

  • Skill sets: Text analysis, interacting with APIs, network analysis
  • Student eligibility: freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, master’s
  • International students on F1 or J1 visa: eligible
  • Academic Credit Possible: Yes