Using a highly portable computer to gather qualitative social network data

We report on the use of a highly portable computer for collecting precise and accurate data concerning specific social network ties. Our experience confirmed that a highly portable computer, when loaded with a flexible database management program, is a useful tool for such a task. Data entry can be done during the interview and information retrieval can provide immediate and useful information for the respondents. The use of the computer with semistructured interviews changes the dynamics of the interview situation. A three-way interaction is created between the interviewers, the respondents and the information in the database. We found that there were great benefits from having two or three respondents in the session, and that it was desirable to have two interviewers.