CMSC 191: Computational Social Network Analysis
Implementation, Presentation, and Reflection
This handout consolidates the full trajectory of computational social network analysis (CSNA) into its final stage—implementation, communication, and reflection. The execution of algorithms and analytical plans is presented as both a technical and epistemological act, requiring disciplined coding practices, rigorous documentation, and attention to reproducibility. Cross-tool verification is described as a computational analogue of scientific peer review, reinforcing the principle that reliability arises from methodological redundancy. The writing of the final report is framed as a synthesis of precision and narrative, integrating statistical outputs, visualizations, and sociological interpretation into a cohesive argument.
The standards of reproducibility and academic rigor are reaffirmed through explicit documentation of methods, citations, and data sources. Finally, presentation and reflection are treated as intellectual culmination points: spaces where technical mastery is translated into human insight. Students are challenged to articulate not only what their models reveal but also what those revelations imply about the nature of connectedness, inequality, and collective behavior. The topic concludes that the true value of CSNA lies in its ability to turn computation into understanding, and understanding into reflection.
Implement computational analyses that demonstrate methodological soundness and reproducibility.
Communicate analytical results effectively through visualization and interpretation.
Reflect on the broader social and ethical implications of computational findings.
How can results be communicated clearly while maintaining analytical precision?
Why is reproducibility fundamental to computational research integrity?
In what ways does reflection transform computation into understanding?
How may CSNA be applied to Philippine social realities—resilience, migration, solidarity, and division?
Implementation, Presentation, and Reflection* (class handout)
From Code to Comprehension
Coding and Computational Analysis
Executing the Analytical Plan
Verification through Cross-Tool Comparison
Report Writing and Scientific Communication
Synthesizing Outputs, Visuals, and Interpretation
Clarity, Reproducibility, and Academic Standard
Presentation, Reflection, and Synthesis
Explaining Technical Achievements and Societal Insights
Reflecting on Complexity and Human Connectedness
When Computation Becomes Reflection
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The semester at a glance:
Validity and Reliability . . .
Project Development . . .
Implementation . . .
Brandes, Ulrik, and Thomas Erlebach. (Eds.) Network Analysis: Methodological Foundations. Springer, 2005. (Crucial for understanding the complexity and limitations of graph algorithms.)
Wasserman, Stanley, and Katherine Faust. Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press, 1994. (Core Text)
Access Note: Published research articles and books are linked to their respective sources. Some materials are freely accessible within the University network or when logged in with official University credentials. Others will be provided to enrolled students through the class learning management system (LMS).