Exploring rural youth networks: Methodological benefits of social network analysis in qualitative inquiry

This article examines the methodological benefits of employing social network analysis (SNA) tools in qualitative research on young people's social connections in rural settings. Drawing on a phenomenological approach, it argues that SNA tools – such as name and resource generators and visual mapping – can enhance participant engagement and strengthen the contextual validity of qualitative data. In particular, it shows how problem-based scenarios derived from name and resource generators anchor discussions of abstract concepts in participants’ lived experiences, thereby improving engagement and data validity. The article also demonstrates how visual mapping tools deepen interpretive understanding by fostering reflection, collaboration, and the co-construction of meaning, while linking individual experiences to broader social structures. It concludes by outlining methodological principles for integrating SNA tools into qualitative inquiry.