Applying Network Research Methods in Educational History

Abstract

In the present paper, I examine whether the methods of current and constantly developing
network science are applicable in the context of educational sciences, especially within the
history of education. I focus on to what extent the exploration of a signifi cant person’s social
network and data processing by other than historical ways can contribute to the understanding
of a specifi c historical period. My research method is based on the processing and the critical analysis of the core works of the network sciences, furthermore on the content analysis of the personal and public source texts of my key character, Nándor Várkonyi, the Hungarian litterateur, editor, librarian and university lecturer. I also modelled some parts of his social network graphically using a graph maker program.