Stegbauer, C., Häußling, R. (eds) Handbuch Netzwerkforschung. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-658-37503-4
This book offers a comprehensive overview of research and theory in network research. In addition to an introductory section on the history of network research, its self-image, and the most important theoretical foundations, the book also covers methods of network research. GESIS colleagues contributed the following chapters:
Mutschke, P. (2025). Zentralitäts- und Prestigemaße.
Centrality measures are indices of the “importance” or ‘prominence’ of an actor in a social network. However, no generally accepted definition of centrality has yet emerged in network research, so that there are roughly as many centrality measures as there are ideas about the “importance” of an actor in a network. This article introduces the most important concepts of centrality—without claiming to be exhaustive, but with the aim of providing a catalog of basic measures of centrality and prestige commonly used in network research. The focus is on presenting the concepts.
Wolf, C., Repke, L. (2025). Egozentrierte Netzwerke.
This article presents methods for collecting and analyzing egocentric networks, i.e., the direct relationships that a focal person (ego) has with other people (alteri). The central tool for collecting egocentric networks are so-called name generators, interview questions that refer to people with whom a relationship exists. The choice of name generator determines which part of the network is captured. We follow McCarty et al. (2019) and distinguish between four different approaches to formulating the name generator: the role approach, the affective approach, the interaction approach, and the exchange approach. Combinations of these four approaches are possible, as are name generators that explicitly generate negative relationships. So-called name interpreters are used to characterize the network individuals captured, i.e., interview questions about the characteristics of the alter ego that are of interest, such as their place of residence or education. In addition, the structure, in particular the density, of the egocentric network as a whole is briefly discussed. When analyzing networks, we distinguish between analyses at the level of the networks as a whole and analyses at the level of relationships. At the network level, questions about size, reach, and heterogeneity are typically examined. At the relationship level, the strength of relationships and the degree of homophily are often examined.
Schoch, D. (2025). Netzwerkvisualisierung.
The increasing relevance of networks in empirical research has driven the development of a variety of software tools for network visualization. Although these tools enable impressive representations at first glance, effectively communicating the inherent complexity of these networks requires much more than aesthetically pleasing visualizations. Basic techniques for graphically representing networks are essential for gaining deeper insights into complex relationships and for using visualizations to complement statistical analyses. This chapter provides an overview of various layout methods for arranging nodes in space. In addition to force-based and radial approaches, a method for longitudinal network analysis is also presented. Another focus is on the integration of node and edge attributes into the visualization through various visual design elements, illustrating their applicability to different types of variables.