Touchscreen-gesteuerte Instrumente zur Erhebung egozentrierter Netzwerke

Collecting egocentric network data with visual tools: A comparative study

“…Studies that systematically compare the handling of tools and perceptions of networks among different milieus or between individualistic and collectivistic cultures, and perhaps also with regard to personality traits, might be enlightening. Furthermore, in an era of digitalization, different modes for implementing visual tools, such as digital instruments or online applications, are continually being developed (e.g., Hollstein et al, 2013;Fagan & Eddens, 2015;Hogan et al, 2016). Looking ahead, different means and applications for collecting visual-based ego network data should be compared systematically with regard to manageability for different target groups (e.g., Gamper et al, 2012).…”

“…For example, it might be relatively easy to talk about a problematic relationship one has with a relative, but having to put it on a map and visually document, it could be burdensome. Furthermore, in such comparative studies, visual tools should be included for which, on the one hand, names are elicited as part of the visual task and, on the other hand, alters are arranged on a visual map but are elicited by other means (Hogan et al, 2007;Hollstein et al, 2013;Kuhns et al, 2015). Those comparisons should pay special attention to differences regarding fatigue and should include measures of efficiency.…”

“…To learn more about the possible impact of different visual layouts on network data and data collection process, we included three different shaped tools that represent various positions and perspectives of ego: One is the concentric-circle diagram in the adaptation of Antonucci (1986), which we described above. Another, a funnel tool (Hollstein et al, 2013), has a trapezoidal shape that represents ego's view toward the world and was motivated by the use of touchscreen computers that sit flat on the table in front of the interviewee. In contrast to Antonucci's (1986) egocentric form of visualization, in which the interviewee is asked to depict him-/herself in the center of the network map, the interviewee uses the funnel tool as the projection of his/her social surroundings from his/her physical position relative to the screen.…”

“…Secondly, we will present the results of an experimental study where we compare four different visual tools with regard to networks elicited, manageability of tools (regarding shape and structuring elements), and how they are implemented (impact of follow-up questions). These tools are the diagram of concentric circles or so-called hierarchical mapping technique (Antonucci, 1986), two modifications of the funnel tool (Hollstein et al, 2013), and free network drawings. In order to assess the four tools, we used the thinking aloud method (Ericsson & Simon, 1993) that encourages interviewees to verbalize their thought processes during the interview.…”

Qualitative network analysis: A useful tool for investigating policy networks in transnational settings?

“…Unstructured maps are "free-style" drawings where interviewees simply receive a piece of paper to develop their perspective on a certain question, for instance, for illustrating private and occupational interactions of individuals. The primary function is to generate narratives on personal systems of relevance and meaning (Hollstein and Pfeffer, 2010). The second category of network maps is structured ones, either standardized or non-standardized.…”