Bringing Qualitative and Quantitative Data Together

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors investigate the issue of gathering network-related social data by means of both qualitative and quantitative methodology. An overview of the most relevant visual approaches such as network pictures and different kinds of network maps (“paper and pencil”, “paper, pen, and tokens,” and “digital network maps”) will be given, including an example of a migration study in which a network survey was carried out with the aid of the software program VennMaker. Finally, the authors discuss the advantages and disadvantages of data collection based on digital network maps and make suggestions for future research.