The usage of psychological networks that conceptualize behavior as a complex interplay of psychological and other components has gained increasing popularity in various research fields. While prior publications have tackled the topics of estimating and interpreting such networks, little work has been conducted to check how accurate (i.e., prone to sampling variation) networks are estimated, and how stable (i.e., interpretation remains similar with less observations) inferences from the network structure (such as centrality indices) are. In this tutorial paper, we aim to introduce the reader to this field and tackle the problem of accuracy under sampling variation. We first introduce the current state-of-the-art of network estimation. Second, we provide a rationale why researchers should investigate the accuracy of psychological networks. Third, we describe how bootstrap routines can be used to (A) assess the accuracy of estimated network connections, (B) investigate the stability of centrality indices, and (C) test whether network connections and centrality estimates for different variables differ from each other. We introduce two novel statistical methods: for (B) the correlation stability coefficient, and for (C) the bootstrapped difference test for edge-weights and centrality indices. We conducted and present simulation studies to assess the performance of both methods. Finally, we developed the free R-package bootnet that allows for estimating psychological networks in a generalized framework in addition to the proposed bootstrap methods. We showcase bootnet in a tutorial, accompanied by R syntax, in which we analyze a dataset of 359 women with posttraumatic stress disorder available online.

Sacha Epskamp

Denny Borsboom

Eiko I. Fried

Behavior Research Methods

行为研究方法发表与实验心理学研究的方法、技术和仪器有关的文章。该杂志特别关注计算机技术在心理学研究中的应用。年度特刊专门针对这一领域。

The journal "Behavior Research Methods" focuses on publishing articles related to methods, techniques, and instruments in experimental psychology research. It particularly emphasizes the application of computer technology in psychological research and publishes annual special issues dedicated to this field.

《Behavior Research Methods》期刊专注于发表与实验心理学研究相关的方法、技术和仪器的文章。该杂志特别关注计算机技术在心理学研究中的应用，并每年出版专门针对这一领域的特刊。

Behav Res

Estimating psychological networks and their accuracy: A tutorial paper

The current state-of-the-art of network estimation is introduced and a rationale why researchers should investigate the accuracy of psychological networks is provided, and the free R-package bootnet is developed that allows for estimating psychological networks in a generalized framework in addition to the proposed bootstrap methods.

Category	Quartile
心理学	2
心理学, 心理学数学	1
心理学, 心理学实验	2

Estimating psychological networks and their accuracy: A tutorial paper

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
PSYCHOLOGY, MATHEMATICAL	1