Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This chapter presents the case for conducting integrated mixed methods research studies about topics central to young adult literature (YAL) discussions (e.g., #allbooksmatter) in online spaces, such as social media (e.g., X, Instagram, Facebook), using an ontological imperative framework that centers on five sets of questions for critiquing the data and metadata that can be extracted from most social media sites for research via the backend application programming interface (API). This framework facilitates researchers in interrogating their research topic via both a macro and a micro lens, allowing them to produce findings that are transparent, rigorous, equitable, and ethical (TREE). By ensuring the research includes the examination of differing online spaces and centers on how dialogue changes within these spaces, we can come to understand better the way that people identify with, or do not identify with, core topics of interest crucial to their lives within YAL discussions.</jats:p>