Comparing name generator designs in rural panel studies: analyzing alter retention and change

TL;DR

This study compares two name generator methods in a rural Romanian network study, revealing how relational attributes influence tie retention and informing design choices for resource-limited settings.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of fixed-choice and free-choice name generators, emphasizing the importance of relational attributes in network stability.

Findings

Kin and emotionally close alters are more likely to be retained.

Relational attributes significantly influence tie retention.

Generator type impacts the characteristics of reported ties.

Abstract

We conducted a two-wave personal network study in a rural Romanian community, interviewing the same participants (n = 68) using two name generators. Wave 1 employed a fixed-choice generator (n = 25) focused on emotional closeness; Wave 2 used a free-choice generator based on frequent interaction. We compared tie characteristics and assessed retention across waves. Alters who were kin, co-residents, or emotionally close were more likely to be retained, regardless of generator type. These findings underscore the role of relational attributes in personal network stability and highlight design considerations for network studies in resource-limited, culturally distinct settings.