Surveying data on connected personal networks
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Date
2011
Publication Type
Report
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
This survey study combined name generators with snowball sampling to collect information on personal leisure networks and underlying “global” network structure. Although such an ar- rangement is not unusual, this large-scale study - with around 700 respondents - reported nearly 15’500 social contacts. Furthermore, snowball chains were limited to leisure contacts with no further limitation on collecting data or continuing recruitment. While our methodological frame allowed analysis of both personal and global network structure within one data collection, it also included several sources of bias. To decrease bias, the study employed several especially designed mechanisms. The paper examines both survey methodology and instrument in detail. We discuss tools to de- crease bias and statistics on their possible impacts, with rather surprising results. The paper closes with a discussion of data security issues and ethical considerations: important factors in projects using such methodologies. The Swiss Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner evaluated this study, making this section particular interesting for those planning similar projects.
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published
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Journal / series
Volume
745
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
IVT, ETH Zurich
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03521 - Axhausen, Kay W. (emeritus) / Axhausen, Kay W. (emeritus)
02226 - NSL - Netzwerk Stadt und Landschaft / NSL - Network City and Landscape
02655 - Netzwerk Stadt u. Landschaft ARCH u BAUG / Network City and Landscape ARCH and BAUG
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