Comparing nascent approaches for gathering alter-tie data for egocentric studies

Abstract

Egocentric network researchers have recently developed interactive, force-directed, node-link tools to alleviate the burden of collecting information about ties between alters. In this study we use a randomized trial with a common stimulus to compare the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of new tools to established tools. We find interactive node-link tools are very satisfying to users and produce accurate data, however it underreported ties, and results differed considerably between users. The results have implications for any research using an interactive node-link diagram or any of the established methods for alter-tie data collection in egocentric network studies.