A Framework for Collecting Qualitative Data for Social Network Analysis and Data Mining

• In Event: Teaching and Conducting Educational Research

Abstract

Qualitative data collection can increase the effectiveness of social network analysis research. To this end, in this article, we describe qualitative data collection methods by first discussing boundary specification techniques, including positional, relational, and event-based techniques; next, types of qualitative data that can be collected are outlined; also, three types of qualitative data collection, namely, interviews, observations, and archival data/data mining are presented. Further, we provide exemplars from the extant literature of qualitative data collection techniques that were conducted for social network analysis and data mining. Finally, we discuss future directions for data collection in social network analysis and data mining, such as data collection strategies in on-line focus groups.

Authors

• Nancy L. Leech, University of Colorado - Denver

• Kathleen M.T Collins, University of Arkansas

• Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, Sam Houston State University