3.2.1.2. Network interpreters. In the second step the characteristics of ties (i.e., alters) were identified by a block of subsequent
questions, which are also known as network interpreters. Name interpreters were administered to respondents in a question-
wise mode after a list of alters for both emotional support and social companionship networks was collected. The
respondents were asked a set of name interpreters for each of the first five alters to limit the respondent’s burden. If an alter
was named by the respondent among the first five alters as providing both emotional support and social companionship,
name interpreters referring to that alter were administrated to the respondent only once.