Organizers: Benjamin
Schulz, Kerstin Hoenig, and Reinhard Pollak.
Survey researchers measure social networks in
two fundamental ways: i) in an ego-centred manner that
captures an actor’s ties and related characteristics, ii)
in a broader way that captures complete networks within
predefined boundaries. The latter approach gains
increasing attention as recent projects in many countries
and fields collect complete network data.
This
increase largely follows from advances in survey
instruments for complete networks and in statistical
modelling, especially for network dynamics.
Methodologically, complete network analysis makes it
possible to separate selection and influence processes.
These surveys, however, are mainly conducted in schools as
meaningful network boundaries are easy to implement in
this context.
Ego-centred
measures offer the chance to collect network data in
contexts where a complete network measurement is not
feasible. To meet the challenge of reversed causality and
endogeneity as a consequence of the non-random, often
homophilous, formation of social ties, panel data including repeated, or
prospective and retrospective, measures are
promising. Several international large-scale surveys
made significant progress in this domain.
We invite researchers from both camps to
submit papers to promote a discussion that allows for a
better evaluation of the advantages and pitfalls of each
approach. Topics might include:
·
Novel approaches in the measurement and
modelling of social networks and network dynamics
·
Means to
identify causal network effects through survey design or
statistical modelling
·
Ways to
assess the reliability and validity of network measures
·
Strategies
for the specification of network boundaries
·
Studies on
how to identify and deal with compositional changes.
To submit a paper abstract, visit the conference website
at http://www.europeansurveyresearch.org/conference and follow
the instructions. Please do not forget to select this
session from the list of sessions provided in the
submission form. You may submit a maximum of two papers on
which you are enlisted as presenting author. The closing
date for submission of paper proposals is 15 January
2015.
Until
29 January 2015,
corresponding authors will be informed whether or not
their paper has been accepted for presentation in the
session.