Network Member Selection (NMS) Question
Network Member Selection (NMS) Question | Network Encyclopedia
What is a Network Member Selection (NMS) Question?
The Network Member Selection Question is used in your PARTNER survey to capture relational data by asking respondents select which network members they are connected with. The NMS Question thus creates your overall network map by recording the structure of your relationships across the community. You must include a NMS Question in a capture survey if you want to map your network relationships and interactions.
You must put an NMS question in your capture before you ask any relational questions or you will produce an error message when you try to publish the survey. If you do not include an NMS question you will not be able to map relationships and interactions in your network.
Types of NMS Questions
There are three types of NMS questions:
- Bounded List: The most common NMS question shows respondents a list to select members from. This is the easiest method with the least data cleaning required.
- Name Generator: Allowing respondents to generate their own list of connections creates a more comprehensive network but requires a lot more cleaning.
- Bounded List + Name Generator: This middle option shows respondents a list but lets them add more names to it, reducing data cleaning while still promoting broad data collection.
We always recommend using a bounded list NMS question unless you have the training and capacity to spend time cleaning and organizing your relational data.