Introduction Social Network Analysis Presented by Kimberly A. Fredericks, Ph.D

Transcription

1 Introduction Social Network Analysis Presented by Kimberly A. Fredericks, Ph.D

2 What is Social Network Analysis? Network analysis is: > the study of social relations among a set of actors > a theoretical perspective on social life, that interdependence matters a set of tools used to implement these ideas These patterns of connections form a social space and SNA provides us with a set of tools to empirically test these propositions

3 What are social relations? A social relation is anything that links two actors. Examples include: Kinship Co-membership Friendship Talking with Love Hate Exchange Trust Coauthorship Fighting Social Relations can be reciprocal or non-reciprocal

4 What is a network? oa network is the sum of the actor s social relations. Relations are also referred to as: edges, arcs, lines and ties. oan actor can be an individual, group, organization or some other formation of individuals who interact with one another. Actors are also referred to as: nodes, vertices, or points

5 What properties of relations do we study? The substantive topics cross all areas of sociology. But we can identify types of questions that social network researchers ask: 1) Social network analysts often study relations as systems. That is, what is of interest is how the pattern of relations among actors affects individual behavior or system properties. For example: Social Cohesion Hierarchy and Domination Inter-group relations b d a c e

6 What properties of relations do we study? 2) Networks as social contexts How does the network environment affect an actor s behavior? Examples: Peer influence on delinquency Corporate interlocks and political participation International trade and war

7 What properties of relations do we study? 3) Conduits for diffusion Relations are like wires or pipes: risks and resources flow through relations. This can have very wide implications: Diffusion of innovations (fads, rumors, etc.) Disease diffusion (STDs)

8 Assumptions in Network Analysis Social life is based on interdependence, not independence social entities make non-random connections -patterns of connections matter- they support resource flows -both direct and indirect ties matter- strength of weak ties Social structure matters, it enables and constrains action Access is related to power, influence, and position brokerage In Networks Perception Matters!

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11 Traditional vs. Network Data Name Sex Age Degree Bob Male 32 2 Carol Female 27 1 Ted Male 29 1 Alice Female 28 3 Who Reports Liking Whom Choice Chooser Bob Carol Ted Alice Bob Carol Ted Alice

12 Types of Networks One-Mode Network -One set of Actors Two-Mode Network -Two sets of social entities Affiliation Network -The second mode in an affiliation network is a set of events.

13 Foundations of Network Analysis From pictures to matrices b d b d a c e a c e a b Undirected, binary a b c d e a b Directed, binary a b c d e 1 1 c d e c d e

14 Data Collection Questionnaire -Free vs. Fixed Choice -Ratings vs. Complete Rankings Interview -Face to Face -Telephone Observation -Small Groups -Face-to-face Interactions Archival Records -Records of Interactions -Past political interactions among nations -Previously published citations (Triangulation and Response Rates)

15 Analyzing Networks Discrete Analysis-Graph Theoretic and Descriptive Analysis (UCINET/NetMiner/Pajek) Blockmodeling and Equivalency Analysis- (UCINET) QAP Regression and P*Analysis- (UCINET/STOCNET) Longitudinal Analysis- RSIENA and ERGM Modeling (RSIENA and STOCNET)

16 SNA as an Evaluation Tool Good for studying relational data, its structure and meaning both at one point in time and longitudinally Good at looking at collaboration and organizational capacity Can allow for a greater understanding of program dynamics Can allow for greater understanding of knowledge generation and flow (innovation and diffusion) Can ask what if questions with regards to relational data