Validation of networks derived from snowball sampling of municipal science education actors
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Standard
Validation of networks derived from snowball sampling of municipal science education actors. / von der Fehr, Ane; Sølberg, Jan; Bruun, Jesper.
In: International Journal of Research and Method in Education, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2018, p. 38-52.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Validation of networks derived from snowball sampling of municipal science education actors
AU - von der Fehr, Ane
AU - Sølberg, Jan
AU - Bruun, Jesper
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Social network analysis (SNA) has been used in many educational studies in the past decade, but what these studies have in common is that the populations in question in most cases are defined and known to the researchers studying the networks. Snowball sampling is an SNA methodology most often used to study hidden populations, for example, groups of homosexual people, drug users or people with sexually transmitted diseases. By use of a snowball sampling approach, this study mapped municipal social networks of educational actors, who were otherwise hidden to the researchers. Subsequently, the resulting networks were validated through interviews with central respondents and by using prior investigations of the municipalities. Our results confirmed that the majority of the designated respondents recognized the resulting sociograms and their own position in these. It was also found that not all predictions based on existing knowledge of the municipalities aligned with SNA data. However, these discrepancies could be explained by development in the municipalities in the time following previous investigations. This study shows that snowball sampling is an applicable method to use for mapping hidden populations in educational settings, but also that qualitative studies are needed in order to interpret the networks in real-life contexts.
AB - Social network analysis (SNA) has been used in many educational studies in the past decade, but what these studies have in common is that the populations in question in most cases are defined and known to the researchers studying the networks. Snowball sampling is an SNA methodology most often used to study hidden populations, for example, groups of homosexual people, drug users or people with sexually transmitted diseases. By use of a snowball sampling approach, this study mapped municipal social networks of educational actors, who were otherwise hidden to the researchers. Subsequently, the resulting networks were validated through interviews with central respondents and by using prior investigations of the municipalities. Our results confirmed that the majority of the designated respondents recognized the resulting sociograms and their own position in these. It was also found that not all predictions based on existing knowledge of the municipalities aligned with SNA data. However, these discrepancies could be explained by development in the municipalities in the time following previous investigations. This study shows that snowball sampling is an applicable method to use for mapping hidden populations in educational settings, but also that qualitative studies are needed in order to interpret the networks in real-life contexts.
U2 - 10.1080/1743727X.2016.1192117
DO - 10.1080/1743727X.2016.1192117
M3 - Journal article
VL - 41
SP - 38
EP - 52
JO - International Journal of Research and Method in Education
JF - International Journal of Research and Method in Education
SN - 1743-727X
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 162749418