This module provides an introduction the course and to the field of social network analysis. We discuss characteristic problems that network analysis seeks to solve, as well as characteristic approaches to solving them. See below for some 'Getting Started' tips.
Note that you are responsible for all of the readings, but for each reading one person or two, for dense papers) will be asked to present (very informally) the article to the class. Please decide among yourselves who will present which reading -- see the readings sign-up sheet. The presentations need not be systematic -- just a few key or interesting ideas.
Readings
Bernard, H. R. (2005). The Development of Social Network Analysis: A Study in the Sociology of Science, Linton C. Freeman, Empirical Press, Vancouver, BC (2004). Social Networks, 27(4), 377-384. [Review of Freeman book; get the main gist]
Freeman, L. C. (2011). The development of social network analysis–with an emphasis on recent events. The Sage handbook of social network analysis, 21(3), 26-39. [Freeman's update to his book; focus on history]
Wellman, B. 1988. "Structural Analysis: From Method and Metaphor to Theory and Substance". Pp. 19-61 in Social Structures a Network Approach, edited by Barry Wellman & S.D. Berkowitz. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Marin, A., & Wellman, B. (2011). Social network analysis: An introduction. The SAGE handbook of social network analysis, 11-25. [leave the methods stuff for later]
Borgatti, S.P. & Halgin, D.S. (2011). On Network Theory. Organization Science. September/October 2011 22(5):1168-1181 [read pp 1168-1170]
Kilduff, M., & Brass, D. J. (2010). "Organizational Social Network Research: Core Ideas and Key Debates." Academy of Management Annals, 4(1), 317–357.
Homework
Before class, please download and install UCINET software. Report any issues in class. Note that we will use the 32-bit version.
Notes
Questions to think about
what is a network? is it different from a group?
what kinds of ties do we study?
what are the goals of network research?
where do interventions and change initiatives fit in?
Supplementary Readings
Mayhew, B. H. (1980). Structuralism versus individualism: Part 1, shadowboxing in the dark. Social forces, 59(2), 335-375.
Borgatti, S.P., Mehra, A., Brass, D. and Labianca, G. (2009). “Network Analysis in the Social Sciences.” Science. Vol. 323. no. 5916, Feb 13, pp. 892 - 895 [published version]
Borgatti, S.P. and Foster, P. 2003. The network paradigm in organizational research: A review and typology. Journal of Management. 29(6): 991-1013
Mitchell, J. C. (1969). The concept and use of social networks. Social networks in urban situations.
Borgatti, S., & Halgin, D. S. (2021). On J. Clyde Mitchell’s ‘The Concept and Use of Social Networks.’. Personal Networks: Classic Readings and New Directions in Egocentric Analysis, 51, 98. [comment on Mitchell]
Freeman, L. C. (2004). "The Development of Social Network Analysis: A Study in the Sociology of Science."
Other readings
Miles, R. E., & Snow, C. C. (1992). Causes of failure in network organizations. California management review, 34(4), 53-72. [note: i think this article is mostly fiction, but useful for us in thinking about what a network is]
Arquilla, J., Ronfeldt, D., & Zanini, M. (1999). Networks, netwar, and information-age terrorism. RAND-PUBLICATIONS-MR-ALL SERIES-, 75-112. [again, mostly bs, but good for clarifying what a network is / is not]
Tips for getting started
The class is heavily hands-on -- the objective is to learn to do network analyses with the UCINET software.
download and install the combined 32/64 bit installer. we will use the 32-bit version in class
make sure it is set up correctly by running this exercise
Note that UCINET is Windows software only. If you have a Mac you will need an emulator such as Parallels and then install UCINET in the emulator.
Note also that if you will be participating via Zoom, you will need two screens -- one to watch what I'm doing, and one to type commands into your locally installed ucinet.