Egocentric Mixed-Methods Social Network Analysis: Analyzing Interviews with Women and/or Queer Ph.D. Physicists

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Egocentric Mixed-Methods Social Network Analysis: Analyzing Interviews with Women and/or Queer Ph.D. Physicists
Language: English
Authors: Chase Hatcher (ORCID 0000-0003-3009-8785), Lily Donis (ORCID 0009-0001-9691-5103), Adrienne Traxler (ORCID 0000-0003-2725-0686), Madison Swirtz (ORCID 0000-0002-1639-9496), Camila Amaral (ORCID 0000-0002-0659-8715), Justin Gutzwa (ORCID 0000-0003-1690-1340), Charles Henderson (ORCID 0000-0003-0334-6739), Ramón Barthelemy (ORCID 0000-0003-1225-7682)
Source: Physical Review Physics Education Research. 2025 21(1).
Availability: American Physical Society. One Physics Ellipse 4th Floor, College Park, MD 20740-3844. Tel: 301-209-3200; Fax: 301-209-0865; e-mail: assocpub@aps.org; Web site: https://journals.aps.org/prper/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Social Networks, Network Analysis, Females, LGBTQ People, Scientists, Doctoral Degrees, Physics, Research Methodology, Gender Bias, Social Bias
DOI: 10.1103/hsyk-72jh
ISSN: 2469-9896
Abstract: Social network analysis (SNA) has been widely used in physics education research (PER) in recent years, but mostly in a limited range of the available modalities. This paper describes a unique approach to egocentric, mixed-methods SNA applied to qualitative network data obtained from 100 interviews with women and/or queer professional physicists. We focus on our methods for obtaining quantitative network data from these qualitative sources and present novel techniques for the analysis of the networks. We also examine the ways in which egocentric and mixed-methods SNA techniques are aligned with critical methods and well suited to the study of difference, non-normativity, and experiences of marginalization in physics spaces and communities. We explore the limitations and potential applications of these methods and situate this work in the larger context of our study of these interviews. This work bridges a methodological gap between SNA and qualitative work on identity in PER and begins to develop our understanding of the way gender and sexual minority physicists experience support.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1487935
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Social network analysis (SNA) has been widely used in physics education research (PER) in recent years, but mostly in a limited range of the available modalities. This paper describes a unique approach to egocentric, mixed-methods SNA applied to qualitative network data obtained from 100 interviews with women and/or queer professional physicists. We focus on our methods for obtaining quantitative network data from these qualitative sources and present novel techniques for the analysis of the networks. We also examine the ways in which egocentric and mixed-methods SNA techniques are aligned with critical methods and well suited to the study of difference, non-normativity, and experiences of marginalization in physics spaces and communities. We explore the limitations and potential applications of these methods and situate this work in the larger context of our study of these interviews. This work bridges a methodological gap between SNA and qualitative work on identity in PER and begins to develop our understanding of the way gender and sexual minority physicists experience support.
ISSN:2469-9896
DOI:10.1103/hsyk-72jh