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Social Network Analysis
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Social Network Analysis

Fourth Edition
March 2017 | 248 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
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This classic, best-selling text introduces newcomers to the key theories and techniques of social network analysis, while also guiding more experienced analysts through their own research. Incorporating the most important and cutting-edge developments in the field, this new Fourth Edition is thoroughly expanded and up-to-date, featuring a new chapter on data collection and updated examples reiterating the continued importance of social network analysis in an increasingly interconnected world.
 
What is Social Network Analysis?
The data used in social network analysis

 
Is there a network theory?

 
An overview

 
 
The History of Social Network Analysis
The sociogram and sociometry

 
Balance and group dynamics

 
Informal organization and community relations

 
Matrices and cliques

 
Formal models of community and kinship

 
Formal methods triumphant

 
Getting by without the help of your friends

 
Entry of the social physicists

 
 
Data Collection for Social Network Analysis
Asking questions

 
Making observations

 
Using documents

 
Boundaries in relational data

 
Positional and reputational approaches

 
Does sampling make sense?

 
 
Organizing and Analyzing Network Data
Matrices and relational data

 
Matrix conventions

 
An analysis of directorship data

 
Direction and value in relational data

 
Computer programs for social network analysis

 
 
Terminology for Network Analysis
The language of network analysis

 
More than joining up the lines

 
The flow of information and resources

 
Density of connections

 
Density in egonets

 
Problems in density measures

 
A digression on absolute density

 
Community structure and density

 
 
Popularity, Mediation and Exclusion
Local and overall

 
Mediation and betweenness

 
Centrality boosts centrality

 
Centralization and graph centres

 
The absolute centre of a graph

 
Bank centrality in corporate networks

 
 
Groups, Factions and Social Divisions
Identifying subgraphs

 
The components of a network

 
The strength and stability of components

 
Cycles and circuits

 
The contours of components

 
Cliques within components

 
Intersecting social circles

 
Components and citation circles

 
 
Structural Locations, Classes and Positions
The structural equivalence of points

 
Clusters and similarities

 
Divide and CONCOR

 
Divisions and equivalence

 
Regular equivalence in roles and functions

 
Corporate interlocks and participations

 
 
Social Change and Development
Structural change and unintended consequences

 
Small-world networks

 
Modelling social change

 
Testing explanations

 
 
Visualizing and Modelling
Taking space seriously

 
Using multidimensional scaling

 
Principal components and factors

 
Non-metric methods

 
How many dimensions?

 
Worth a thousand words?

 
Elites, communities and influence

 
Business elites and bank power

 
 
Notes
 
Bibliography
 
Index

'One of my go-to books for Social Network Analysis.'

Barry Wellman
University of Toronto

"Clear, authoritative and accessible; everything you could possibly want and more from a social network handbook."

Martin Everett
University of Manchester

This is a great text that covers the many facets of social network analysis, including data collection and the statistical approaches to social change. I'd like to see the author eventually include a discussion of the ethical considerations in social network data collection and analysis as I think many students still have problems understanding the ethics involved in this ever changing technology.

Dr Nancy Bridier
College of Doctoral Studies, Grand Canyon University
drupal

Good read and introductory information for the beginning scholar

Miss burcu gumus
Communication Sciences, Dogus University
drupal

Good read and introductory information for the beginning scholar

Miss burcu gumus
Communication Sciences, Dogus University
September 24, 2019
Report this review

This is a great text that covers the many facets of social network analysis, including data collection and the statistical approaches to social change. I'd like to see the author eventually include a discussion of the ethical considerations in social network data collection and analysis as I think many students still have problems understanding the ethics involved in this ever changing technology.

Dr Nancy Bridier
College of Doctoral Studies, Grand Canyon University
February 21, 2018
Report this review
Key features
New to This Edition:
  • A chapter on data collection, covering a crucial phase of the research process
  • Fully updated examples reiterate the continued importance of social network analysis in an increasingly interconnected world
  • Detailed ‘Further Reading’ sections help you explore the wider literature
  • Practical exercises including real-world examples of social networks enable you to apply your learning

Sample Materials & Chapters

Scott - Social Network Analysis - Chapter 1

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