Introduction to working with API's

This workshop will be focused on introducing students to working with data from social media platforms by interacting with their APIs.  It will start by introduction (at a high level) what an application programming interface (API) is, and how users can interact with it to retrieve data.  Additionally, what steps should be taken to understand if a provider has an API available, if the data can be used (e.g. its license), and how to identify data relevant to research questions.  The material presented will be intended for students who do not have a CS background, and will include numerous hands on exercises.  Students will be creating accounts in pre-identified social media platforms from which they can query data and examine the results.

The goals of the workshop will be for students to come away with

• Introduction to APIs and available tools
• Identifying social media platforms applicable to research questions
• Working knowledge of JSON and available tools
• Basic conversions of JSON to tabular format (i.e. Excel)
• Steps to identify if a platform will provide data applicable to a research question