Covert Networks of Gang-Involved Youth: Methodological Challenges Working with Sensitive Populations

• In Event: Challenging Data Collection: Working with Gang-involved and Violent Youth and Adults

Abstract

The Rand Corporation, Temple University, and Urban Institute are conducting research on the networks of gang-involved youth and the gang desistance process. The methods used for this effort were borne out of prior research using social network analysis methods. However, most prior research using these methods were not working with covert, sensitive populations like gangs. The methods, as thus far applied to gang networks and desistance, have resulted in successful data collection efforts and provided researchers with rich datasets on the peer and familial networks of gang-involved youth. At the same time, the research team has learned a number of lessons regarding methods for collecting high quality data from covert networks like gangs, how to overcome challenges to collecting data from this unique population that haven’t typically arisen during other, less sensitive network data collection efforts, and appropriately interpreting findings on social networks—including assessing the quality of the social network data that have been collected. This presentation will describe some of those lessons and suggest how they might be employed in future research in this vein.

Authors

• Jillian Eidson, Temple University

• Meagan Cahill, Urban Institute

• Caterina Roman, Temple University

• Samantha Lowry, Urban Institute

• Darakshan Raja, Urban Institute

• Kuniko Madden, Urban Institute