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Network Analysis

Network Analysis. Applications for Qualitative Content Analysis Data. What is Network Analysis?. A way of thinking sociologically A body of sociological theory A body of research findings A form of quantitative-qualitative analysis A set of analytical tools for analysis.

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Network Analysis

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  1. Network Analysis Applications for Qualitative Content Analysis Data

  2. What is Network Analysis? • A way of thinking sociologically • A body of sociological theory • A body of research findings • A form of quantitative-qualitative analysis • A set of analytical tools for analysis

  3. A Different Way of Thinking • Approach is holistic—whole networks • Focus is on relations between units • Organize data differently • Ask different questions • about the overall state of the network • about the nature of particular relations • Use different quantitative measures

  4. Two Types of Network Analysis • One kind theorizes about social structure • uses network data to test hypotheses • also uses simulated data to test hypotheses • The other kind is exploratory • uses real data to figure out what is going on • often uses visual network diagrams • Exploratory approach flexible, accessible

  5. Two Kinds of Data Arrays Question: pattern of characteristics in the sample Question: pattern of relations within the network

  6. Some Possible Patterns

  7. Network Language • NODES---the individual units • people • groups • nations • companies • TIES—the relations between the units • Can be present/absent (Are X and Y linked?) • Can be directional (Does X like Y?) • Can be quantified (# of links, amount of trade)

  8. Nature of Network Data • Populations, not samples preferred • Do not use probabilistic statistics • Use matrix algebra as mathematical base • Ego-centric Networks—all ties from one node • Only direct ties to ego • Trace ties of those linked to ego • Full networks—all ties between all nodes • can limit network to make this feasible • can some times use snowball to trace network

  9. Network Diagrams

  10. Some Network Measures • Density • Connectivity • Reachability • Distance • Reciprocity • Clustering • Hierarchy • Cliques

  11. Using with Content Analysis • Your data may include “relations” already • website links or reports in the data • ties between people, groups, or other units • “grammatical” relations • You may be able to create relational data • construct it from your Access database • add external data or more codes • You might just want to diagram relations

  12. Form of Network Data • Enter directly in the network programs, UCINET, PAJEK, or NETDRAW (included in UCINET) • Import from an Excel spreadsheet (flat file matrix) • Move data from Access to Excel • Then import into UCINET • Enter usual data array with other variables • UCINET can turn it into a matrix for you • You then can add the relations to the matrix • Output a text file and format it for UCINET • UCINET can export into PAJEK format or Netdraw

  13. Network Resources • UCINET software: (free trial, $25 for students) <http://www.analytictech.com> • Hanneman, Robert A. and Mark Riddle.  2005.  Introduction to social network methods.  Riverside, CA:  University of California, Riverside ( Free tutorial, published in digital form at http://faculty.ucr.edu/~hanneman/ ) • Pajek: network analysis and visualization:http://vlado.fmf.uni-lj.si/pub/networks/pajek/ (free software, buy better manual)

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