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Talking ties: Reflecting on network visualisation and qualitative interviewing

Ryan, Louise; Mulholland, Jon; Agoston, Agnes

Authors

Louise Ryan

Agnes Agoston



Abstract

This paper uses a reflexive approach to consider the opportunities and challenges of using a visualisation tool in qualitative research on social networks. Although widely used to map social networks over many decades, particularly in health studies and psychology, network visualisation tools are less common in qualitative sociological research. While recent trends in Social Network Analysis (SNA) have tended to concentrate within the quantitative domain, our paper is influenced by the 'cultural turn' in network research, and aims to respond to calls for more exploration of how social ties are constructed and represented in qualitative research. Having used a target sociogram to visualise the networks of highly skilled migrants, we reflect critically on how this tool, far from being a neutral data collective device, influences how networks were described, explained, and perceived by participants. Focusing on the dynamics within the interview encounter, especially in the context of 'researching up', we explore participant reactions, what we learned and might do differently, next time. We conclude that, despite certain limitations, the sociogram helped mitigate the abstract nature of some topics by connecting them to specific groups of people drawn on the diagram. The tool not only enhanced participants' reflection process but allowed certain topics to emerge which might have not otherwise surfaced, hence greatly contributing to the collection of rich data. Nonetheless, as we discuss, there are also ethical issues associated with its use.

Citation

Ryan, L., Mulholland, J., & Agoston, A. (2014). Talking ties: Reflecting on network visualisation and qualitative interviewing. Sociological Research Online, 19(2), https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.3404

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 15, 2014
Online Publication Date May 31, 2014
Publication Date May 31, 2014
Deposit Date Oct 21, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Sociological Research Online
Electronic ISSN 1360-7804
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 2
DOI https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.3404
Keywords qualitative research, social networks, visualisation tools, highly skilled migrants, interview dynamics, social ties
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/844304
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.5153/sro.3404