Measuring personal networks with core discussion network methodology: a case of Russian students

This paper explores the use of the Core Discussion Network (CDN) methodology for analyzing personal networks. We discuss the method’s origins and the specifics of its implementation, followed by a brief overview of findings from international studies. Using data collected in 2021 from 270 first-year undergraduate and graduate students at a top-tier Russian university, we present results from an empirical study. The analysis focused on network parameters such as the size and density of ego-alter ties, alongside the socio-demographic characteristics of alters (gender, age, and relationship to ego). Results indicate that the structure of CDNs among Russian students in 2021 closely mirrors that of Ukrainian respondents from prior studies in terms of connection counts, proportions of relatives versus non-relatives, and the percentage of respondents reporting no discussion partners. However, variation coefficients for gender and age were distinct compared to earlier research, though direct comparisons were constrained by inconsistent reporting of standard deviations in existing literature. Our findings highlight the need for standardized metrics in personal network analysis to improve cross-study comparability.