subject: Beginner's Guide to Social Network Analysis [print this page] Beginner's Guide to Social Network Analysis
Social networks play an important role in the evolution of society. With that being said, social network analysis, which is recognized to be closely related to network theory, has been introduced to plot the connection of one social network to another. Later on, this analysis has also proved to be useful to other fields of sciences, other than sociology, such as economics, geography, information science and organizational studies.
Furthermore, due to its substantial use in these fields of sciences, the methodologies concerning social network analysis are now employed by researchers and scientists to determine the type of connection and relationship each node has with the other. With this distinction, this network analysis, along with its theories, methods and procedures, has now become a model and is widely accepted as the gold standard'. And since it has a broad scope, social network analysis is still expected to expand and develop over time.
Two Principles of Social Networking
Normally, researchers and analysts will make a case between two opposing viewpoints. This may include the study of a whole population versus a sample population. Similarly, they may argue as to whether to do an analysis of the structure of a relationship, or the people involved in a particular relationship. To provide them with a satisfactory research analysis, two principles of social networking have been characterized.
Complete Analysis. As assumed from its label, complete analysis involves the whole population in a particular research. For an example, if you are conducting research on a particular group such as the whole college community and you want to use complete analysis, you need to include every individual in the college community.
This principle is used particularly if a researcher wants to have a low deviation rate. Though complete analysis requires more effort and labor, it will generate an analysis which has little or no deviation at all. You are assured that you will generate accurate results.
Egocentric Analysis. If complete analysis involves the whole population, an egocentric analysis will focus on a subgroup within the population. Looking at the example above, an egocentric analysis conducted in a college community will only involve a subgroup such as students enrolled in particular degree or course.
Sources of Data
In conducting research, sources of data are essential tools in order to arrive at the right conclusion. For this reason, every researcher, especially those working with the methodologies of social network analysis, needs to prepare valuable research materials.
Most popular sources of data are:
Questionnaires
History or Written Records
Direct and Indirect Observation
Experimentation
Tracing Origins
Types of Social Relationships
In social network analysis, the main focus of the research is the relationship between two nodes. So, it is a must to determine which type of relationship is present between these nodes. Here are some types of social relationships to give you a better understanding of the real objective of social network analysis.
Kinship
Actions
Cognition
Transfer
Distance
Flow
Affection
Co-occurrence
Levels
Social relationships have varying levels. Consequently, these levels are also identified in conducting a social network analysis. Here are some general starting points for your research.
Relation Levels
Subgroup Levels
Dyad Levels
Since the study of social relationships include both objective and subjective perspectives, there are cases in the past which have produced unreliable results due to lack of statistical and hypothetical testing and screening. But with the help of methodologies such as permutation testing, advancements have been made. These advancements now help in the acceptance of recent research studies.
