Toward Open Governance in Research Software for Communication and Media Research: Principles, Dimensions, and Practices

Florian Hohmann, Andreas Hepp and Karsten D. Wolf
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Florian Hohmann: Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI), University of Bremen, Germany
Andreas Hepp: Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI), University of Bremen, Germany
Karsten D. Wolf: Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI), University of Bremen, Germany

Media and Communication, 2026, vol. 14

Abstract: In recent years, communication and media studies have increasingly emphasized the need for open, transparent, and sustainable research infrastructures. Despite numerous calls for a cultural shift toward open science, the field continues to rely heavily on commercial and closed software environments that limit collaboration, reproducibility, and methodological innovation. This article responds to these challenges by examining two interconnected initiatives—MeTag/MeSort and OpenQDA—as examples of open, co-created research software developed at the University of Bremen. Building on the theoretical framing of research software as sociotechnical infrastructure, we introduce open governance as a conceptual framework for the sustainable management of research software. We argue that open governance is not merely a licensing issue but also a collaborative process of negotiating values, responsibilities, and practices among diverse stakeholders. Drawing insights from both case studies, we develop a conceptual model of open governance for research software that highlights the need for hybrid arrangements combining community-driven openness with structured coordination. In conclusion, we argue that such governance-oriented approaches represent a promising path toward sustainable, reusable, and equitable infrastructures for communication and media research.

Keywords: CAQDAS; co-creation; governance; open science; qualitative data analysis; research infrastructure; research software (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:meanco:v14:y:2026:a:12345

DOI: 10.17645/mac.12345

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