UCINET-oriented workshop June 1-5

Post date: Apr 02, 2015 10:11:20 PM

The LINKS Center at the University of Kentucky is offering its annual 1-week summer workshop on social network analysis June 1-5, 2015 on the University of Kentucky campus. To sign up, visit http://www.linksworkshop.org. Students pay half-price. Registration opens March 30th.

The workshop features LINKS Center faculty Steve Borgatti, Dan Brass, Wally Ferrier, Eric Gladstone, Dan Halgin, Joe Labianca, Ajay Mehra, and Scott Soltis, as well as guest instructors Filip Agneessens, Alan Daly, Rich DeJordy, Joe Ferrare, Jeff Johnson, and Tom Valente. In addition, all of the sessions are assisted by a cadre of students and recent graduates in order to ensure personalized attention.

The workshop features four major, concurrent tracks for the first four days, followed by three choices of area-specific sessions on the final day. At the end of each day, we also offer multiple short modules on specialized topics, as well as a data lab for analyzing your own data. Finally, we offer a number of 45-minute consultations with LINKS Center faculty to discuss your research.

MAJOR TRACKS (4 days each; Monday-Thursday)

Introduction to Social Network Analysis. Led by Dan Halgin and Dan Brass (U. of Kentucky). Includes a theoretical and empirical overview of the field, followed by a comprehensive survey of the concepts and methods of social network analysis, including data collection, data management, centrality, social capital, cohesion, and hypothesis testing. In addition, participants participate in lab sessions to learn how to use network analysis software, including UCINET and NetDraw.

Analyzing Social Network Data. Led by Rich DeJordy (Northeastern). A more software- and data-oriented version of Introduction to SNA that covers most of the same topics as Intro but focuses more on using the software and devotes a bit more time to interpreting the equations & formulas that define many network concepts. Includes lab sessions in which participants work through analysis exercises using the UCINET and NetDraw software.

Advanced Network Analysis. Led by Steve Borgatti (U. of Kentucky). For people interested in both a deeper and broader look at network concepts and methods. Topics include advanced centrality methods, measuring network change, advanced approaches to 2-mode data, analyzing negative ties, working with multiple relations, and integrating node attributes with network measures. This module also introduces participants to UCINET’s command-line facility and batch processing of files.

Stochastic Network Models. Led by Filip Agneessens (U. of Surrey). This course provides an introduction to exponential random graph models (ERGMs) and stochastic actor-based models for network dynamics (as implemented in SIENA). The course will focus on hands-on use of MPNet and RSiena and on the interpretation of output. An introduction to the R analysis language (needed for RSiena) will also be provided during the workshop.

AREA-SPECIFIC TRACKS (1 day each; Friday)

Networks and Education. Led by Alan Daly (UC San Diego) and Joe Ferrare (U. of Kentucky). Applying the social network perspective to education research and policy.

Networks and Health. Led by Tom Valente (USC). Social network theory and method in the context of understanding health-related behaviors, interventions and disease epidemiology.

Networks and Management. A set of presentations by the LINKS Center faculty surveying network research in various areas within the field of management, including leadership, innovation, and competitive dynamics

MINI-MODULES (1.5 hours each, Monday-Thursday after 4pm)

The mini-modules are short sessions on specialized topics. Some focus on research design topics, others on using specialized software, and still others on handling particular kinds of data. Past offerings have included: managing your IRB, managing your research site, introduction to SNA with R, working with cognitive social structure data, working with 2-mode data, analyzing negative ties, and many more.

In addition, each day we offer a data lab where people can bring their data and have someone experienced with the software help them to load it and do some analyses.

1-ON-1 CONSULTATIONS (45-minute slots available Tuesday-Thursday)

Make appointment to discuss your research in depth with Joe Labianca, Jeff Johnson, Ajay Mehra, or Scott Soltis.

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Please note that sessions are capped at about 55 participants, so you might want to register soon after registration opens (March 30). Registration closes May 15.

For more information, please visit the workshop website: https://sites.google.com/site/linkscenterworkshopsna/