Storytelling with networks: realizing the explanatory potential of network diagrams through the integration of qualitative data

Cowhitt, T. , Greany, T. and Downey, C. (2023) Storytelling with networks: realizing the explanatory potential of network diagrams through the integration of qualitative data. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, (doi: 10.1177/16094069231189369) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Network visualizations are alluring yet deceptively difficult to interpret. This article demonstrates several strategies for integrating qualitative data into interactive network diagrams for the purposes of providing contextual information about actors and their relationships. The result is a new joint display called a Narrated Network Diagram (NND). The development of NNDs aims to make network visualizations more reliable tools for reporting research findings, especially for researchers integrating Social Network Analysis tools into multi- and mixed-methods research designs. Until now, researchers primarily use interactivity to support exploratory analysis of large networks at various scales. However, interactivity can also be used to integrate diverse forms of data without sacrificing perceptual efficiency by essentially hiding significant amounts of text within nodes and edges as tooltips or by delineating additional data within legends, titles, and subtitles.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cowhitt, Dr Thomas
• Authors: Cowhitt, T., Greany, T., and Downey, C.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: International Journal of Qualitative Methods
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 1609-4069
• ISSN (Online): 1609-4069
• Published Online: 16 August 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2023
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Qualitative Methods 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license