How Information Spreads Through Multi-layer Networks: A Case Study of Rural Uganda

The social networks that interconnect groups of people are often “multi-layered"– comprised of a variety of relationships and interaction types. Although researchers increasingly acknowledge the presence of multiple layers and even measure them separately, little is known about whether and how different layers function differently. We conducted a field experiment in twelve villages in rural Uganda that measured real multi-layer social networks and then tracked how each layer was used to discuss new information about refugees. A majority of respondents discussed refugees with someone to whom they were connected in the social network. The connections came from all four layers, though the layer indicating regular homestead visits was used most frequently. People did not discuss refugees with every one of their network neighbors; homophily in views, homophily in level of interest, and the alter’s interest in the topic best distinguish links that were used from those that were not.