Social network research in Africa. Issue 471 (9th January 2019)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Social network research in Africa. Issue 471 (9th January 2019)
- Main Title:
- Social network research in Africa
- Authors:
- Marks, Zoe
Stys, Patrycja - Abstract:
- Abstract: Social network approaches have much to offer for the study of African politics. This research note explores the tensions and benefits of using social networks as metaphor or as method, and highlights the types of questions network research can address. We discuss sources of network data, key features of the graphical perspective and basic vocabulary, and the difference between analyzing individual networks and full systems. Three social network analysis (SNA) concepts—centrality, brokerage, and multilevel networks—indicate theoretic spaces for qualitative and quantitative synergies. The note also raises practical considerations and ethical challenges for conducting network research in fieldwork settings, drawing on a collaborative project in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In conclusion, we encourage layering disciplines and mixing methods to more fully understand how networks shape social life in Africa.
- Is Part Of:
- African affairs. Volume 118:Issue 471(2019)
- Journal:
- African affairs
- Issue:
- Volume 118:Issue 471(2019)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 118, Issue 471 (2019)
- Year:
- 2019
- Volume:
- 118
- Issue:
- 471
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2019-0118-0471-0000
- Page Start:
- 375
- Page End:
- 391
- Publication Date:
- 2019-01-09
- Subjects:
- Africa -- Periodicals
960.05 - Journal URLs:
- http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/ ↗
- DOI:
- 10.1093/afraf/ady067 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0001-9909
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 0732.300000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 11803.xml