Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 8, 2026

Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community
Published on: May 31, 2019
Social Categories and Boundary-Making: Exploring the Potential of Interactive Visual Tools to Study Boundary Work
Nuria Targarona Rifa1, Louise Ryan2, Alejandro Ciordia3,4
1COALESCE Lab, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Research on categorisation and boundary work has often focused on how institutional actors draw boundaries between groups of individuals, overlooking how individuals informally contest or reinforce these boundaries and categories. In this article, we make the case for new interactive qualitative data collection strategies to inductively explore social categorisation and boundary-making processes within personal networks, bringing together the potential of visualisation and personal network research. We introduce an innovative methodological procedure for in-depth interviewing that consists of asking participants to report on specific network members while using two novel interactive visual tools displayed on electronic devices. By discussing examples from our research, we illustrate the method's potential in the data collection and analysis stages and highlight the technical, methodological, and conceptual contributions it can make to the study of social boundaries.
Related Concept Videos
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
Processes of Self-Presentation
Role-Based Identity
Relationship Formation
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Impression Management Techniques I: Managing Appearances