Harnessing Big Data, Hindered by Bias: Evaluating TikTok Research API for Fair and Optimal Social Sciences

Dan Bai, Yan Gu, Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London

Social Science Computer Review

Published online on January 27, 2026

Abstract

Social Science Computer Review, Ahead of Print.
Digital platforms now serve as crucial archives for analysing societal trends, yet their research APIs pose methodological challenges. This study critically evaluates TikTok Research API through comparative analysis of 6,373 videos from 14 creators in the ...