Assessing the Stability of Ego-Centered Networks over Time Using the Digital Participant-Aided Sociogram Tool Network Canvas
DOI[PLACEHOLDER: Annotation on longitudinal stability assessment of ego-centered networks using Network Canvas. One of 6 most significant works.]
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Tests whether apparent instability in egocentric networks across survey waves reflects genuine network churn or interview artifacts like anchoring and motivated underreporting. Uses Network Canvas to demonstrate that structural embeddedness predicts alter retention, providing empirical grounding for interpreting longitudinal ego network data.
The instability of nominated network alters across survey waves raises a fundamental epistemological question: does the network change, or does the measurement change? By testing whether structural embeddedness predicts alter retention, this study distinguishes genuine network dynamics from measurement artifacts. The answer to "what is the network?" depends on how and when you look.