Approaches to studying networks: Implications and outcomes

Concerns have been raised about lack of clarity in conceptual consideration and difficulty of applying the network concept as an analytical tool. These concerns can be associated with reliance on quantitative techniques, designed to look at structural characteristics, when qualitative approaches will reveal other aspects of networks. This paper builds on previous work and considers implications and outcomes of different methodological approaches for network research. Using a Ptolemaic/Copernican analogy it illustrates that both approaches are required to grasp and understand the complexity of networks and the associated activity of networking but that each deals with different aspects and features. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.