ELICITING REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES OF PERSONAL NETWORKS

In this paper we introduce and evaluate a method for eliciting a repre sentative sample of total personal networks. First names were used as a cue to elicit a sample of 14 alters from 712 respondents through a t elephone interview. Network characteristics for each respondent were c alculated as averages and proportions across the 14 alters. These were compared to other studies using more specialized network generators. Our method produced results which are logically consistent with those expected from a generator that elicits a sample from the total rather than a specialized subset of the total network. The proportions of kin relations, average tie strength and frequency of contacts are found t o be lower than network generators designed to elicit networks of soci al support. Given our conclusion that the sample is representative of the total network we examine the varying characteristics of respondent s and their networks based on the domination of a particular relation type in their network. This analysis provides answers to such question s as 'What characteristics of respondents account for the proportion o f family relations in their network?' and 'What are the similarities b etween respondents whose networks are made up of mostly work-related r elations?' (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.