Reflecting on Dunbar’s numbers: Individual differences in energy allocation to personal relationships

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0319604 - e0319604

Published: March 11, 2025

Past studies have investigated the variability in how people engage with their personal networks, yet less is known about perceive energy allocation to different ties. Drawing on an online survey sample (N = 906), we tested whether subjective perceptions of conform so-called Dunbar’s Number(s). In addition, evaluated predictive roles Big Five personality traits and self-esteem while controlling for differences network structure. Results revealed significant heterogeneity perceived layers networks (i.e., inner 5 vs. middle 15 outer 150 relationships). contrast expectations, extraversion was not associated allocation, whereas greater (vs. inner) layer. Our findings add our knowledge relationship maintenance across along links key psychological traits. More broadly, suggest that more attention should be paid implications layer networks. To conclude, discuss importance studying individual prioritize – reflect relationships

Language: Английский

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Comparing the Robustness of Simple Network Scale-Up Method Estimators

Sociological Methodology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 54(2), P. 385 - 403

Published: April 14, 2024

The network scale-up method (NSUM) is a cost-effective approach to estimating the size or prevalence of group people that hard reach through standard survey. basic NSUM involves two steps: respondents’ degrees and hard-to-reach population interest using estimated number they report knowing in group. Each these steps taking either an average ratios ratio averages. Using averages for each step has so far been most common approach. However, authors present theoretical arguments at second, prevalence-estimation often lower mean squared error when random mixing assumption violated, which seems likely practice; this estimator was proposed early development but largely unexplored unused. Simulation results example data set also support findings. On basis empirical evidence, suggest future surveys use simple may want mixed estimator, estimation methods based on produce new improvements.

Language: Английский

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Uses and limitations of dichotomous aggregate relational data

Social Networks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 74, P. 42 - 61

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

Language: Английский

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Using the network scale-up method to characterise kidney trafficking in Kalai Upazila, Bangladesh

BMJ Global Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 8(11), P. e012774 - e012774

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of illegal kidney sales in Kalai Upazila, Bangladesh, using Network Scale-Up Method (NSUM), an ego-centric network survey-based technique used size hidden populations. The estimated seller population, analysed profiles sellers and brokers investigated characteristics villagers who are more likely be connected identify possible biases NSUM estimate. found that trafficking Upazila was between 1.98% 2.84%, which is consistent with estimates provided by a local leader reporters, but much narrower bounds. also large proportion were men (over 70% 90%, respectively) relatively young (mean age 33 39, respectively). Specific reasons for included poverty (83%), loan payment (4%), drug addiction (2%) gambling (2%). While most reported male farmers (56%) female housewives (78%) need money, characterised as rich, well-known individuals.

Language: Английский

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Coronasurveys: encuestas indirectas en línea para monitorizar la evolución del COVID- 19

REVISTA ESPAÑOLA DE COMUNICACIÓN EN SALUD, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 15 - 23

Published: Jan. 6, 2024

Introducción: Seguir la evolución del COVID-19 ha sido esencial para toma de decisiones sanitarias. Pero ello requiere cifras fiables los infectados, muertos y hospitalizados, muchas veces complicadas tener por múltiples razones. El uso técnicas estimación rápidas fiables, como las encuestas indirectas, es una opción. Objetivos: Presentar el proyecto CoronaSurveys, cual monitorea combinando indirectas con método ampliación red (Network Scale-up Method, NSUM). Metodología: sistema usa anónimas en línea consultar sobre COVID-19, NSUM estimar casos. Las están idiomas preguntas rastrear casos activos, nuevos muertes, entre otros. Resultados: CoronaSurveys está operando desde marzo 2020, sigue recopilando datos, más cien mil respuestas actualidad (millones muestras). hecho buenas estimaciones España Reino Unido, otros países. Conclusión: Este adecuado países infraestructura sanitaria limitada o situaciones desconocimiento pandemia, al inicio porque su coste implementación pequeño, dispositivos simples usarlo, pocos participantes obtener estimaciones.

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The psychometric properties of Aggregated Relational Data and NSUM-estimated network size

Published: April 2, 2024

Despite the widespread use of aggregated relational data (ARD, i.e., responses to questions form “How many people do you know with [trait X]?”) for estimating size and composition social networks, their psychometric properties are not well established. This paper addresses this gap by assessing (1) test-retest reliability a large set ARD individuals’ NSUM-estimated acquaintanceship network based on these (2) convergent validity estimated size. The test was conducted heterogeneous quota sample 50 residing in Barcelona (Spain) 2023. Respondents were interviewed twice over 10–15 days, responding series A.R.D. both occasions. We also performed qualitative debriefing understand how individuals interpreted responded questions. Test-retest showed that respondents’ ranking excellently reproduced, but precise values not, respondents giving lower answers retest than test. Especially networks fluctuated considerably. found moderate correlations validity. discuss implications other results item choice using NSUM instruments.

Language: Английский

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Automated Name Selection for the Network Scale-up Method

Field Methods, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 36(3), P. 249 - 265

Published: May 21, 2024

To estimate the distribution of number acquaintances members a society, network scale-up method asks survey respondents about people they know with features for which national statistics are available. While many have been used this purpose, first names suggested to produce particularly low levels transmission error and recall bias. For be precise, set needs selected that jointly represents population in relevant variables such as gender or age. This article provides solution approach finding optimal names. can applied any joint is We show our successfully sets closely mirroring distributions six countries different name statistics.

Language: Английский

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Further Exploring the Public Health Implications of the Network Scale-Up Method: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10, P. e48289 - e48289

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Background The decline in the number of new HIV infections among adults has slowed down, gradually becoming biggest obstacle to achieving 2030 target ending HIV/AIDS epidemic. Thus, a political declaration ensure that 90% people at high risk infection can access comprehensive prevention services was proposed by United Nations General Assembly. Therefore, obtaining an accurate estimated size high-risk populations is required as prior condition plan and implement services. network scale-up method (NSUM) recommended Programme on World Health Organization estimate sizes infection; however, we found NSUM also revealed underlying population characteristics female sex workers addition being used size. Such information very useful improving planning implementation This especially relevant for who inject drugs, where stigma discrimination, criminalization further hinders Objective We aimed conduct exploration public health implications using it size, popularity ratio, transmission rate drugs. Methods A stratified 2-stage cluster survey general respondent-driven sampling drugs were conducted urban district Taiyuan, China, 2021. Results Taiyuan 1241.9 (95% CI 1009.2‐1474.9), corresponding 4.4×10 −2 % 3.6×10 5.2×10 %) adult aged 15‐64 years. ratio 53.6% 47.2%‐60.1%), 87.9% 86.5%‐89.3%). Conclusions In they have smaller-sized personal social networks while concealing their drug use, these are extremely appropriate service delivery approaches with fewest barriers more cost-effectiveness brings NSUM, which makes even promising its application.

Language: Английский

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Performance Analysis of NSUM Estimators in Social-Network Topologies

The American Statistician, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 23

Published: Oct. 29, 2024

The Network Scale-up Methods (NSUM) are methods to estimate unknown populations based on indirect surveys in which the participants provide information about aggregated data of their acquaintances. This preserves privacy and may lead higher participation. During last thirty years, new NSUM estimators have emerged. However, conditions related design experiments robustness not been studied depth, especially a realistic simulation environment. study aims compare nine under relevant literature through experiments. We analyzed how is affected by network topology, transmission recall errors, distribution subpopulation, number sizes subpopulations, sample size. article shows that some barely used better more robust conditions, when scale-free or barrier effects. In addition, very sensitive errors. terms subpopulations configuration, we observe known usually employed quite large most common subpopulations.

Language: Английский

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A Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach to combining multiple data sources: A case study in size estimation

arXiv (Cornell University), Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2020

To combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic effectively, targeted interventions among certain key populations play a critical role. Examples of such include sex workers, people who inject drugs, and men have with men. While having accurate estimates for size these is important, any attempt to directly contact or count members difficult. As result, indirect methods are used produce estimates. Multiple approaches estimating been suggested but often give conflicting results. It therefore necessary principled way combine reconcile this end, we present Bayesian hierarchical model that combines multiple from different sources information. The proposed makes use years data explicitly models systematic error in used. We estimate drugs Ukraine. evaluate appropriateness compare contribution each source final

Language: Английский

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