Introduction to Social Network Research and Analysis (CANCELLED)
Cancellation Notice:
This course has been cancelled for Summer Programme 2012 due to insufficient enrolments. We will endeavour to run it again in a future NZSSN short course programme; if you are interested in such a course, please let us know in the meantime so that we can provide targetted followup when the time comes.
This course has been cancelled for Summer Programme 2012 due to insufficient enrolments. We will endeavour to run it again in a future NZSSN short course programme; if you are interested in such a course, please let us know in the meantime so that we can provide targetted followup when the time comes.
Dates:
February 13, 2012 - February 17, 2012
Instructor:
Assoc. Prof. Malcolm Alexander This course introduces information and data collection methods used by social scientists working on social networks. It familiarises participants with the principal software packages used in social network analysis (UCINET and Netdraw) and provides hands-on experience of working with these packages. Participants carry out a small network project on their own personal community to develop a real familiarity with methods and techniques of social network research and data analysis.
Prerequisites:
Participants should be comfortable using Microsoft Excel.
Learning Objectives:
Monday AM
Overview and scoping; Research designs for network studies; Sociometric and egonet data collection; Introduction to UCINET (and NetDraw).
Monday PM
VNA and other data formats; Layouts for network visualisation; Colours and shapes; Drawing complex network diagrams; Degree centrality measures.
Tuesday AM
Data organisation and management; Connectivity, paths and average path length; Missing data procedures.
Tuesday PM
Random graph theory; Using random graphs for statistical modelling and tests of significance.
Wednesday AM
Clusters, subgroups and network partitions; K-cores and expanding selection.
Wednesday PM
Overlapping network partitions and 2-mode data; Cognitive network maps and socio cognitive mapping.
Thursday AM
Revision of elements as determined by class; Overview of other software available for network visualisation and analysis.
Thursday PM
Consultations with instructor on individual problems and presentations.
Friday AM
Mini-conference: Participants present a short account of the particular project they have worked on through the course.
Friday PM
Final presentations: Course ends.
References:
Scott, J. (2000). Social network analysis: a handbook. London; Newbury Park, Calif., SAGE Publications.
Carrington, P. J., J. Scott, et al. (2005). Models and methods in social network analysis. Cambridge; New York, Cambridge University Press.
Watts, D. J. (2003). Six degrees: the science of a connected age. New York, Norton.
