SOME PROBLEMS IN THE USE OF NETWORK ANALYSIS FOR COMPARATIVE ENQUIRY.

In recent times there has been a boom in the use of `networks' both as a set of techniques and as a body of theory. This paper suggests that its popularity will soon extend to cross-cultural studies from where it came. The potential problems considered are mostly at the level of technique and include those of sampling, measurement error, field problems and data analysis. We argue that many of these problems are unique to network methodology and many have no ready answers. We conclude that before we embrace the network approach, there is a need to clarify the issues raised in discussions among sociologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]