Comparing name generator designs in rural panel studies: analyzing alter retention and change

2025/06/11 by Marian-Gabriel Hâncean, Hâncean, Marian-Gabriel, Juergen Lerner +3
Psychology · Social Sciences · #91D30 #Applications (stat.AP) #Cognitive Abilities and Testing #E.1 #FOS: Computer and information sciences #FOS: Physical sciences #G.3 #J.4 #Mental Health Research Topics #Methodology (stat.ME) #Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph) #Social Power and Status Dynamics #Social and Information Networks (cs.SI)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2506.10136

openalex publication_date 2025/06/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

We conducted a two-wave personal network study in a rural Romanian community, interviewing the same participants (n = 68) using two name generators. Wave 1 employed a fixed-choice generator (n = 25) focused on emotional closeness; Wave 2 used a free-choice generator based on frequent interaction. We compared tie characteristics and assessed retention across waves. Alters who were kin, co-residents, or emotionally close were more likely to be retained, regardless of generator type. These findings underscore the role of relational attributes in personal network stability and highlight design considerations for network studies in resource-limited, culturally distinct settings.

Citations

• Forgetting in the recall-based elicitation of personal and social networks
• Different Strokes from Different Folks: Community Ties and Social Support
• Building a structural typology of personal networks: Individual differences in the cohesion of interpersonal environment
• The Resource Generator: social capital quantification with concrete items

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