Social communication of the population and government representatives in the internet space: features of sociological research tools

The relevance of the research is determined by the active transition of various interaction practices into the virtual space. Any kind of user activity has digital traces, which creates unique research opportunities for the sociological study of social communication. The purpose of the study is to reveal the features of the tools for sociological study of social communication between the population and government officials in the Internet space. The paper reflects a scientific discussion on improving the methodological foundations, methods and techniques for collecting primary data, substantiates the need for transforming traditional sociological methods and development, testing new interdisciplinary tools for collecting and processing data in the Internet space. Hybridization of methods, the use of social network analytics allows you to get data, including about reactive, fast communications. Taking into account timely analytical information is a prerequisite for the formation of a space for dialogue between the population and the government.