Collecting Qualitative Data to Enhance Social Network Analysis and Data Mining

Data: Recorded observations Qualitative data: Nonnumeric data in the form of words Hollstein (2011) delineates six areas where qualitative research is helpful in social network research: (a) exploration of networks, (b) network practices, (c) network orientation and assessments, (d) how networks matter, (e) understanding network dynamics, and (f) validation of network data and field access. According to Leech and Onwuegbuzie (2008), there are four types of qualitative data - specifically, data generated from talk, observations, images (e.g., drawing, photograph, video), and documents. To collect these types of data, the researcher can implement the following strategies: interviews, focus groups, observations, and documents/material as cultural artifacts (Leech and Onwuegbuzie 2008). These qualitative data collection strategies when used individually or combined can increase the effectiveness of social network analysis research….