Social network interviewing: a southern methodological innovation that aims at maximising emancipation: understanding adolescence in African contexts

Abstract

Social network interviewing (SNI) is an exploratory research and intervention tool from South Africa aimed at creating a template for young people to engage with community members in areas of concern for both. In SNI, research participants carry out interviews with members of their social networks, including parents, extended family, teachers, friends, local authority figures and religious leaders, based on questions developed collaboratively but aligned to a conceptual template. The aim of SNI is to offer both a research and intervention tool where productive conversations between young people and community members are facilitated.