WCQR2022_24: Social Network Analysis and its use based on Nvivo example

WCQR2022 | 6th World Conference on Qualitative Research
26-28 January 2022 (ONLINE)
https://wcqr.ludomedia.org/
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Social Network Analysis and its use based on Nvivo example
Authors: Jakub Niedbalski and Izabela Ślęzak

Introduction
The intense growth of network research is part of a more general shift taking place since the mid-twentieth century. It regards moving away from individualistic, atomistic theories toward research that allows for understanding relationships, context, and a systemic view. A consequence of this is the ever-increasing number of network analysis applications to research various types of entities and processes. Therefore, tools such as sociograms appear to be a direct response by CAQDAS software developers to the growing needs of researchers and the proliferating trends in scientific research.

Goals and Methods
The essential goal of the paper is to present social network analysis - tools for analyzing connections between people or other social entities. In the speech, we focus on the critical characteristics of this perspective, and we review its applicability. Our speech is of reviewing and explanatory nature. It is based on our personal experience as CAQDAS users.

Results
Even though the methods used in social network analysis fall into the category of quantitative social research methods, they are increasingly finding acceptance among qualitative researchers, followed by NVivo being equipped with this type of functionality. Therefore, we attempt to outline a general framework for using selected NVivo features, focusing on the ability to create sociograms.

Conclusions
Network analysis is based on the belief that patterns of relationships between people, and between organizations, are not random and they have consequences, either as structural constraints or as opportunities arising from position in the structure. With the tools available in NVivo, we can successfully show these relationships. For that reason, tools such as sociograms available in NVivo seem to be a direct response from software developers to the growing needs of researchers interested in network analysis and the spreading research trends in this area.
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