The Methods Used in Connected Lives: Investigating networks, neighbourhoods and communities

A description of the research methods used in the Connected Lives project, an investigation of of networks, neighbourhoods, and communities, with a focus on what happens and what passes along these networks (Crow, 2004; Pahl and Spencer, 2004). The project used a range of qualitatively-driven methods, including: walking interviews; diary interviews; participatory social maps; secondary quantitative data collection; field diaries; key informant interviews; walking tours; participant observation and historical data collection. Connected Lives was part of the Real Life Methods node of the National Centre for Research Methods, based at the Universities of Manchester and Leeds.