Researching Series Fatigue

A Data and Methodology Paper

Abstract

This data paper describes the data and methodology behind a collaborative and exploratory study from 2023–2024 that addresses the phenomenon of ‘serial fatigue,’ which appears to arise from the abundant availability of serial media content on the internet. The data paper complements the scientific article that emerged from this study and was published in Fandom | Cultures | Research (1/2024) and provides a detailed description of the dataset published via the media/rep/ data repository.

The paper traces the course of the study, from its initial conceptualization to various phases of the research process, from data collection and coding to considerations of the data‘s longevity. Furthermore, the paper highlights the study‘s limitations, such as the homogeneity of the sample, but also addresses its advantages, such as rich, qualitative insights into contemporary media consumption. It also describes the challenges of data management across countries.

Aiming to facilitate the sharing of data, reusability and transparency in research, the paper is intended to serve as a bridge between the raw data in the dataset (questionnaire, preliminary coding table, final codebook with code descriptions and examples, survey responses and interview transcripts, informed consent) and the broader research community.