Introduction to Social Networks
Basic Assumptions
The study of social networks assumes that human relationships matter, particularly in terms of the micro or macro social structure (the overall group members and their interrelationships). Human ties are seen as interdependent, and their social structures tend to be enduring patterns of relations.
To understand complexity, social scientists create models, or they "abstract" reality to particular entities and relationships. The idea is to select out what is relevant (the signal) and to suppress the noise--so that latent information may be revealed, and hidden structures may be revealed.
Basic Elements in a Node-Link Diagram
Nodes and Links
nodes / egos or actors / vertexes
o
links / lines / edges / arcs
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The Spatial Layout of the Elements
These elements are usually presented on a 2D plane (x and y axes), and the node-links may sometimes be read from top to bottom and left to right. They may be ready from the center outward. Or there may not be any directionality in terms of reading the diagrams.
an ego network
(Note: Please click on the link in the window to view the contents. Flickr (TM) has a policy against the uses of iFrames.)
a (conceptual) neural network expressed as a node-link diagram
a content analysis expressed as a node-link diagram
an interactive content analysis examining the interdisciplinary overlap of science and social science (by Rafols, Porter, and Leydesdorff at "idR: Measuring & Mapping Interdisciplinary Research")
Early Clarification: Node-link diagrams can express a wide range of information types. One type is a "social network." (Social networks themselves may be expressed in a variety of ways, not only as node-link diagrams.)
The Basics of Social Network Research
- Conceptualizing a relevant research area and questions
- Formulating a hypothesis from domain information and theory
- Creating a research design; identifying a social group to study
- Collecting relevant information (surveys, social network information, media sources) OR Conceptualizing a social network diagram / sociogram (such as from game theory)
- Setting up an electronic data array
- Inputting the information into a social network software tool / applying various types of analyses (both statistical and non-parametric)
- Creating a social network diagram; trying multiple visualizations
- Analyzing the data array; analyzing the social network; adding contextual details;
- Finalizing and presenting the work to professional peers
Two Factors in the "Gold Standard" of Analytical Tools: Again, the "gold standard" is how closely the model relates to (and explains) the world...and how accurately predictive it is. In other words, this research should have explanatory power and predictive power. A social network conceptualization could be understood in this light as well. Researchers need to be able to validate the model that is created about the social network.
