Analyzing networks in communication: a mixed methods study of a political debate

Abstract How can we detect and analyze network ties in non-reactive communication data? Previous research mostly relies on the mere occurrence of events between actors (e.g., e-mails, citations). The paper proposes combining qualitative interpretation formal quantitative analysis. Conversation analysis interactional sociolinguistics give us methods to qualitatively discern how are related (relational meaning). This be typified into kinds relational like “attack” or “support”. Types social relationships (“alliance” “conflict”) characterized by specific combinations events. These used exemplarily a televised political debate six party representatives Germany. Three prominent types identified qualitatively: interruptions that supportive adversarial, accounts action. Hierarchical cluster shows these fall four relations (alliance, all-out attack, moderate ignore).