When collecting egocentric network data, visual representations of networks can function as a cognitive aid for depicting relationships, helping to maintain an overview of the relationships, and keeping the attention of the interviewees. Additionally, network maps can serve as a narration generator in qualitative and in mixed-methods studies. While varying visual instruments are used for collecting egocentric network data, little is known about differences among visual tools concerning the influence on the resulting network data, the usability for interviewees, and data validity. The article provides an overview of existing visually oriented tools that are used to collect egocentric networks and discusses their functions, advantages, and limitations. Then, we present results of an experimental study where we compare four different visual tools with regard to networks elicited, manageability, and the impact of follow-up questions. In order to assess the manageability of the four tools, we used the thinking aloud method. The results provide evidence that the decision in favor of a specific visual tool (structured vs. unstructured) can affect the size and composition of the elicited networks. Follow-up questions greatly affect the elicited networks and follow-up cues can level out differences among tools. Respondents tend to prefer the concentric circles tool, with some differences in preferences and manageability of tools between participants with low and those with high socioeconomic status. Finally, assets and drawbacks of the four instruments are discussed with regard to data quality and crucial aspects of the data collection process when using visual tools.

中文翻译：

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使用可视化工具收集以自我为中心的网络数据：一项比较研究

在收集以自我为中心的网络数据时，网络的视觉表示可以作为描述关系的认知辅助工具，有助于保持对关系的总体了解，并保持受访者的注意力。此外，网络地图可以作为定性和混合方法研究中的叙述生成器。虽然不同的视觉工具用于收集以自我为中心的网络数据，但对于视觉工具之间在对结果网络数据的影响、受访者的可用性和数据有效性方面的差异知之甚少。本文概述了现有的用于收集以自我为中心的网络的面向视觉的工具，并讨论了它们的功能、优势和局限性。然后，我们展示了一项实验研究的结果，在该研究中，我们比较了四种不同的可视化工具，包括所引发的网络、可管理性和后续问题的影响。为了评估这四个工具的可管理性，我们使用了大声思考的方法。结果提供了证据，表明支持特定视觉工具（结构化与非结构化）的决定会影响引出网络的大小和组成。后续问题极大地影响了引发的网络，后续线索可以消除工具之间的差异。受访者倾向于使用同心圆工具，社会经济地位低的参与者和社会经济地位高的参与者在工具的偏好和可管理性方面存在一些差异。最后，