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Measuring networks in the field

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2019

Jennifer M. Larson  and
Janet I. Lewis
Jennifer M. Larson*
Affiliation:
Political Science Department, Vanderbilt University, College of Arts and Science, Nashville, TN US
Janet I. Lewis
Affiliation:
Political Science Department, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD US
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Measuring networks in the field—usually by asking individuals systematically about their networks–entails complex design choices, with large consequences for the resulting data. Because observations in a network are interconnected, well-established practices from non-network survey settings can lead researchers astray. Despite the increasing focus on networks in political science, little guidance is available for researchers facing high-stakes decisions when designing a study to elicit networks. This paper serves as a practical guide. It offers a simple framework for constructing a network theory, illuminates tradeoffs like measuring more nodes versus more ties per node or asking for names versus selections from a list, and proposes a new technique for cleaning relational data.

Keywords

Data collectionmeasurementsurvey methodology
Type
Original Articles
Information
Political Science Research and Methods , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , January 2020 , pp. 123 - 135
Copyright
Copyright © The European Political Science Association 2019 

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Larson and Lewis Dataset

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https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/THCWHJ
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