Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The quality of measurement of personal support subnetworks

  • Published:
Quality and Quantity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Data about personal networks and their characteristics are increasingly used in social science research, especially in research about the quality of life, social support and similar topics (Fischer, 1982; Marsden, 1987; van der Poel, 1993b). Since all data about a person’s social network are usually obtained from the respondent himself, the quality of such measurements is a very important issue. Among other factors, the type of social support can affect the quality of social network measurement (Ferligoj and Hlebec, 1998, 1999). Differences in the stability of measurement between the core and extended personal network have also been found (Marsden, 1990; Morgan et al., 1997). The closer and the more important an alter is, the more likely it is that (s)he will be named in any measurement (Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, 1990; Van Groenou et al., 1990; Morgan et al., 1997). In this paper the results of a recent study on the quality of measurement of tie characteristics in different personal subnetworks are presented. The Multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) approach was used for estimating reliability and validity. A meta analysis of reliability and validity estimates was done by hierarchical clustering. The data were collected in the year 2000 by computer assisted face-to-face and telephone interviews from a random sample of 1033 residents of Ljubljana.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allison, P. D. (1987). Estimation of linear models with incomplete data. In: C. C. Clogg (ed.), Sociological Methodology 1987. Washington DC, American Sociological Association, pp. 71–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alwin, D. (1974). An analytic comparison of four approaches to the interpretation of relationships in the multitrait-multimethod matrix. In: H. L. Costner (ed.), Sociological Methodology 1973–1974. San Francisco, Jossey-Bass, pp. 79–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, F. M., Morgan, J. N., Sonquist, J. A. & Klem, L. (1973). Multiple Classification Analysis. A Report on a Computer Program for Multiple Regression Using Categorical Predictors. Ann Arbor: The Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, H. R., Killworth, P. D. & Sailer, L. (1979/1980). Informant accuracy in social network data IV: A comparison of clique-level structure in behavioral and cognitive network data. Social Networks 2: 191–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, H. R., Killworth, P. D. & Sailer, L. (1982). Informant accuracy in social network data IN: An experimental attempt to predict actual communication from recall data. Social Science Research 11: 30–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bollen, K. A. (1989). Structural Equations with Latent Variables. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewer, D. D. (1993). Patterns of the recall of persons in a student community. Social Networks 15: 335–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewer, D. D. (1995). The social structural basis of the organization of persons in memory. Human Nature 6: 379–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewer, D. D. & Yang, B. L. (1994). Patterns in the recall of persons in a religious community. Social Networks 16: 347–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunting, B. P. & Adamson, G. (2000). Assessing reliability and validity in the context of planned incomplete data structures for multitrait-multimethod models. In: A. Ferligoj & A. Mrvar (eds), Developments in Survey Methodology, Metodološki zvezki 15. Ljubljana, FDV, pp. 37–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burt, R. S. (1986). A note on socio-metric order in the general social survey data. Social Networks 8: 149–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cambell, D. T. & Fiske, D. W. (1959). Convergent and discriminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrix. Psychological Bulletin 56: 81–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cantril, H. (1944). Gauging Public Opinion. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coenders, G. & Saris, W. E. (2000). Testing nested additive, multiplicative and general multitrait-multimethod models. Structural Equation Modeling7: 219–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corman, S. R. & Bradford, L. (1993). Situational effects on the accuracy of self-reported organizational communication. Communication Research 20: 799–817.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferligoj, A. (1989). Razvrščanje v skupine: teorija in uporaba v družboslovju. Ljubljana: FSPN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferligoj, A. & Hlebec, V. (1998). Quality of scales measuring complete social Networks. In: A. Ferligoj (ed.), Advances in Methodology, Data Analysis, and Statistics. Metodoloski zvezki, Vol. 14, Ljubljana, FDV, pp. 173–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferligoj, A. & Hlebec, V. (1999). Evaluation of social network measurement instruments. Social Networks 21: 111–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, C. S. (1982). To Dwell among Friends. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, L. C. & Romney, A. K. (1987). Words, deeds and social structure: A preliminary study of the reliability of informants. Human Organizations 46, 330–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, L. C., Romney, A. K. & Freeman, S. C. (1987). Cognitive structure and informant accuracy. American Anthropologist 89: 311–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, B. H. (1983). Social Support Strategies: Guidelines for Mental Health Practice. Beverly Hills: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groenou, M. Broese van, van Sonderen, E. & Ormel, J. (1990). Test-retest reliability of personal network delineation. In: C. P. M. Knipscheer & T. C. Antonucci (eds), Social Network Research: Substantive Issues and Methodological Questions. Amsterdam: Swets and Zeitlinger, pp. 121–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hippler, H. J., Schwarz, N. & Sudman, S. (eds.) (1987). Social Information Processing and Survey Methodology. New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, B. J. (1981). Social networks and the coping process: Creating personal communities. In: B. H. Gottlieb (ed.), Social Networks and Social Support. Beverly Hills: Sage, pp. 149–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hlebec, V. & Ferligoj, A. (2002). Reliability of social network measurement instruments. Field Methods 14: 288–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • House, J. S. (1981). Work Stress and Social Support. Reading: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, J. H. P. (1990). The Mannheim comparative network research. In: J. Weesie & H. Flap (eds), Social Networks Through Time. Utrecht: ISOR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R. A. & Wichern, D. W. (1998). Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall (4th edition).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1993). New Features in LISREL8. Chicago: Scientific Software International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Killworth, P. D. & Bernard, H. R. (1976). Informant accuracy in social network data. Human Organization 3: 269–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Killworth, P. D. & Bernard, H. R. (1979/1980). Informant accuracy in social network data III: A comparison of triadic structure in behavioral and cognitive data. Social Networks 2: 10–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kogovšek, T., Ferligoj, A., Coenders, G. & Saris, W. E. (2002). Estimating the reliability and validity of personal support measures: Full information ML estimation with planned incomplete data, Social Networks 24: 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Költringer, R. (1995). Measurement quality in Austrian personal interview surveys. In: W. E. Saris & A. Münnich (eds), The Multitrait-Multimethod pproach to Evaluate Measurement Instruments. Budapest, Eötvös University Press, pp. 207–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laireiter, A. & Baumann, U. (1992). Network structures and support functions - theoretical and empirical analyses. In: H. O. F. Veiel & U. Baumann (eds), The Meaning and Measurement of Social Support. New York: Hemisphere, pp. 33–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsden, P. V. (1987). Core discussion networks of Americans. American Sociological Review 52: 122–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsden, P. V. (1990). Network data and measurement. Annual Review of Sociology 16: 435–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsden, P. V. & Campbell, K. E. (1984). Measuring tie strength. Social Forces 63: 482–501.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, H. W. & Bailey, M. (1991). Confirmatory factor analyses of multitrait-multimethod data: Comparison of the behavior of alternative models. Applied Psychological Measurement 15: 47–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minor, M. J. (1983). New directions in multiplexity analysis. In: R. Burt & M. Minor (eds), Applied Network Analysis: A Methodological Introduction. Beverly Hills: Sage, pp. 223–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D. L., Neal, M. B. & Carder, P. (1997). The stability of core and peripheral networks over time. Social Networks 19: 9–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, S. L. (1951). The Art of Asking Questions. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, G. R. (1994). The quality of relationships inventory: Assessing the interpersonal context of social support. In: B. R. Burleson, T. L. Albrecht & I. G. Sarason (eds), Communication of Social Support: Messages, Interactions, Relationships, and Community. Thousand Oaks, Sage, pp. 247–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, G. R., Sarason, B. R. & Sarason, I. G. (1992). General and specific support expectations and stress as predictors of perceived supportiveness: An experimental study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 63: 297–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poel, M. G. M. van der. (1993b). Personal Networks. Lisse: Swets and Zeitlinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romney, A. K. & Faust, K. (1982). Predicting the structure of a communications network from recalled data. Social Networks 4: 285–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romney, A. K. & Weller, S. C. (1984). Predicting informant accuracy from patterns of recall among individuals. Social Networks 4: 59–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rook, K. S. (1992). Detrimental aspects of social relationships: Taking stock of an emerging literature. In: H. O. F. Veiel & U. Baumann (eds), The Meaning and Measurement of Social Support. New York, Hemisphere, pp. 157–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samuelsson, M. A. K. (1997). Social networks of children in single-parent families: Differences according to sex, age, socioeconomic status and housing-type and their associations with behavioral disturbances. Social Networks 19: 113–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saris, W. E. (1999). Forced choice or agree/disagree Questions? An evaluation by the split ballot MTMM experiment. Proceedings of the meeting of the IRMCS, October 1999, pp. 122–146.

  • Saris, W. E. & Andrews, F. M. (1991). Evaluation of measurement instruments using a structural modeling approach. In: P. P. Biemer, R.M. Groves, L. E. Lyberg, N. A. Mathiowetz & S. Sudman (eds), Measurement Errors in Surveys. New York, Wiley, pp. 575–597.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saris, W. E. & Münnich, A. (eds.),(1995). The Multitrait-Multimethod Approach to Evaluate Measurement Instruments. Budapest, Eötvös University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherpenzeel, A. (1995a). Meta analysis of a European comparative study. In: W. E. Saris & A. Münnich (eds), The Multitrait-Multimethod Approach to Evaluate Measurement Instruments. Budapest, Eötvös University Press, pp. 225–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherpenzeel, A. (1995b). Misspecification effects. In: W. E. Saris, & A. Münnich (eds), The Multitrait-Multimethod Approach to Evaluate Measurement Instruments. Budapest, Eötvös University Press, pp. 61–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherpenzeel, A. (1995c). A Question of Quality: Evaluating Survey Questions by Multitrait-Multimethod Studies. Amsterdam, Royal PTT Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, N. & Sudman, S. (eds). 1992. Context Effects in Social and Psychological Research. New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, N. & Sudman, S. (eds). 1994. Autobiographical Memory and the Validity of Retrospective Reports. New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, N. & Sudman, S. (eds). 1996. Answering Questions: Methodology for Determining Cognitive and Communicative Processes in Survey Research. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sudman, S., Bradburn, N. M. & Schwartz, N. (1996). Thinking about Answers: The Application of Cognitive Processes to Survey Methodology. San Francisco, Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verbrugge, L. M. (1977). The structure of adult friendship choices. Social Forces 56: 576–597.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verbrugge, L. M. (1979). Multiplexity in adult friendships. Social Forces 57: 1286–1309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. E., Wasserman, S. & Wellman, B. (1994). Statistical models for social support metworks. In: S. Wasserman & J. Galaskiewicz (eds), Advances in Social Network Analysis. Thousand Oaks: Sage, pp. 53–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellman, B., Carrington, P. J. & Hall, A. (1988/1997). Networks as personal communities. In: B. Wellman & S. D. Berkowitz (eds), Social Structures: A Network Approach. Greenwich: JAI Press, pp. 130–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellman, B. & Wortley, S. (1990). Different strokes from different folks. American Journal of Sociology 96: 558–588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werts, C. E. & Linn, R. L. (1970). Path analysis: Psychological examples. Psychological Bulletin 74: 193–212.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Tina Kogovšek & Anuška Ferligoj

Authors
  1. Tina Kogovšek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anuška Ferligoj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tina Kogovšek.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kogovšek, T., Ferligoj, A. The quality of measurement of personal support subnetworks. Qual Quant 38, 517–532 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-005-2178-y

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-005-2178-y

Key words

Search

Navigation