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51-1094: Social network analysis Small-world networks Centrality Motifs Graph theory Scaling Robustness Systems biology Dynamic networks Evolutionary computation Genetic algorithms Genetic programming Artificial life Machine learning Evolutionary developmental biology Artificial intelligence Evolutionary robotics Reaction–diffusion systems Partial differential equations Dissipative structures Percolation Cellular automata Spatial ecology Self-replication Conversation theory Entropy Feedback Goal-oriented Homeostasis Information theory Operationalization Second-order cybernetics Self-reference System dynamics Systems science Systems thinking Sensemaking Variety Ordinary differential equations Phase space Attractors Population dynamics Chaos Multistability Bifurcation Rational choice theory Bounded rationality Systems science , also referred to as systems research , or, simply, systems ,

102-434: A given network. Homophily : The extent to which actors form ties with similar versus dissimilar others. Similarity can be defined by gender, race, age, occupation, educational achievement, status, values or any other salient characteristic. Homophily is also referred to as assortativity . Multiplexity: The number of content-forms contained in a tie. For example, two people who are friends and also work together would have

153-419: A group of people who are unlikely to change their opinions of the other people in the group. Unbalanced graphs represent a group of people who are very likely to change their opinions of the people in their group. For example, a group of 3 people (A, B, and C) where A and B have a positive relationship, B and C have a positive relationship, but C and A have a negative relationship is an unbalanced cycle. This group

204-627: A means of qualitatively assessing networks by varying the visual representation of their nodes and edges to reflect attributes of interest. Social network analysis has emerged as a key technique in modern sociology . It has also gained significant popularity in the following: anthropology , biology , demography , communication studies , economics , geography , history , information science , organizational studies , physics , political science , public health, social psychology , development studies , sociolinguistics , and computer science , education and distance education research, and

255-517: A more accurate picture of collaborative learning experiences. A number of research studies have combined other types of analysis with SNA in the study of CSCL. This can be referred to as a multi-method approach or data triangulation , which will lead to an increase of evaluation reliability in CSCL studies. Peter Checkland Peter Checkland (born 18 December 1930, in Birmingham , UK )

306-428: A multiplexity of 2. Multiplexity has been associated with relationship strength and can also comprise overlap of positive and negative network ties. Mutuality/Reciprocity: The extent to which two actors reciprocate each other's friendship or other interaction. Network Closure : A measure of the completeness of relational triads. An individual's assumption of network closure (i.e. that their friends are also friends)

357-420: A network relative to the total number possible. Distance: The minimum number of ties required to connect two particular actors, as popularized by Stanley Milgram 's small world experiment and the idea of 'six degrees of separation'. Structural holes: The absence of ties between two parts of a network. Finding and exploiting a structural hole can give an entrepreneur a competitive advantage. This concept

408-586: A network, and the relatively small role played by an instructor in an asynchronous learning network. Although many studies have demonstrated the value of social network analysis within the computer-supported collaborative learning field, researchers have suggested that SNA by itself is not enough for achieving a full understanding of CSCL. The complexity of the interaction processes and the myriad sources of data make it difficult for SNA to provide an in-depth analysis of CSCL. Researchers indicate that SNA needs to be complemented with other methods of analysis to form

459-464: A positive relationship (friendship, alliance, dating) and a negative edge between two nodes denotes a negative relationship (hatred, anger). Signed social network graphs can be used to predict the future evolution of the graph. In signed social networks , there is the concept of "balanced" and "unbalanced" cycles. A balanced cycle is defined as a cycle where the product of all the signs are positive. According to balance theory , balanced graphs represent

510-412: A tool to understand behavior between individuals or organizations through their linkages on social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook . One of the most current methods of the application of SNA is to the study of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). When applied to CSCL, SNA is used to help understand how learners collaborate in terms of amount, frequency, and length, as well as

561-543: A variety of areas, such as psychology, biology, medicine, communication, business, technology, computer science, engineering, and social sciences. Themes commonly stressed in system science are (a) holistic view, (b) interaction between a system and its embedding environment , and (c) complex (often subtle) trajectories of dynamic behavior that sometimes are stable (and thus reinforcing), while at various ' boundary conditions ' can become wildly unstable (and thus destructive). Concerns about Earth-scale biosphere/geosphere dynamics

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612-418: A wide range of applications and disciplines. Some common network analysis applications include data aggregation and mining , network propagation modeling, network modeling and sampling, user attribute and behavior analysis, community-maintained resource support, location-based interaction analysis, social sharing and filtering, recommender systems development, and link prediction and entity resolution. In

663-426: Is a transdisciplinary field that is concerned with understanding simple and complex systems in nature and society , which leads to the advancements of formal, natural, social, and applied attributions throughout engineering , technology and science , itself. To systems scientists, the world can be understood as a system of systems. The field aims to develop transdisciplinary foundations that are applicable in

714-404: Is a British management scientist and emeritus professor of systems at Lancaster University . He is the developer of soft systems methodology (SSM): a methodology based on a way of systems thinking systems practice. Systems practice is the idea of uncovering an optimal solution within complex environments, thus leading to a thorough understanding of the system, analysing and adapting to change in

765-452: Is an example of the nature of problems to which systems science seeks to contribute meaningful insights. The systems sciences are a broad array of fields. One way of conceiving of these is in three groups: fields that have developed systems ideas primarily through theory; those that have done so primarily through practical engagements with problem situations; and those that have applied ideas for other disciplines. The soft systems methodology

816-399: Is called transitivity. Transitivity is an outcome of the individual or situational trait of Need for Cognitive Closure . Propinquity : The tendency for actors to have more ties with geographically close others. Bridge : An individual whose weak ties fill a structural hole , providing the only link between two individuals or clusters. It also includes the shortest route when a longer one

867-502: Is carried out considering the network of words co-occurring in a text. In these networks, nodes are words and links among them are weighted based on their frequency of co-occurrence (within a specific maximum range). Social network analysis has also been applied to understanding online behavior by individuals, organizations, and between websites. Hyperlink analysis can be used to analyze the connections between websites or webpages to examine how information flows as individuals navigate

918-572: Is closely associated with the RAND corporation . Systemic design integrates methodologies from systems thinking with advanced design practices to address complex, multi-stakeholder situations. Social network analysis 1800s: Martineau · Tocqueville  ·  Marx ·  Spencer · Le Bon · Ward · Pareto ·  Tönnies · Veblen ·  Simmel · Durkheim ·  Addams ·  Mead · Weber ·  Du Bois ·  Mannheim · Elias Social network analysis ( SNA )

969-428: Is collected. Social Networking Potential (SNP) is a numeric coefficient , derived through algorithms to represent both the size of an individual's social network and their ability to influence that network. SNP coefficients were first defined and used by Bob Gerstley in 2002. A closely related term is Alpha User , defined as a person with a high SNP. SNP coefficients have two primary functions: By calculating

1020-491: Is directly tied to every other individual, ' social circles ' if there is less stringency of direct contact, which is imprecise, or as structurally cohesive blocks if precision is wanted. Clustering coefficient : A measure of the likelihood that two associates of a node are associates. A higher clustering coefficient indicates a greater 'cliquishness'. Cohesion: The degree to which actors are connected directly to each other by cohesive bonds . Structural cohesion refers to

1071-537: Is now commonly available as a consumer tool (see the list of SNA software ). Social network analysis has its theoretical roots in the work of early sociologists such as Georg Simmel and Émile Durkheim , who wrote about the importance of studying patterns of relationships that connect social actors. Social scientists have used the concept of " social networks " since early in the 20th century to connote complex sets of relationships between members of social systems at all scales, from interpersonal to international. In

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1122-834: Is the process of investigating social structures through the use of networks and graph theory . It characterizes networked structures in terms of nodes (individual actors, people, or things within the network) and the ties , edges , or links (relationships or interactions) that connect them. Examples of social structures commonly visualized through social network analysis include social media networks , meme spread, information circulation, friendship and acquaintance networks , business networks, knowledge networks, difficult working relationships, collaboration graphs , kinship , disease transmission , and sexual relationships . These networks are often visualized through sociograms in which nodes are represented as points and ties are represented as lines. These visualizations provide

1173-495: Is unfeasible due to a high risk of message distortion or delivery failure. Centrality : Centrality refers to a group of metrics that aim to quantify the "importance" or "influence" (in a variety of senses) of a particular node (or group) within a network. Examples of common methods of measuring "centrality" include betweenness centrality , closeness centrality , eigenvector centrality , alpha centrality , and degree centrality . Density : The proportion of direct ties in

1224-515: Is very likely to morph into a balanced cycle, such as one where B only has a good relationship with A, and both A and B have a negative relationship with C. By using the concept of balanced and unbalanced cycles, the evolution of signed social network graphs can be predicted. Especially when using social network analysis as a tool for facilitating change, different approaches of participatory network mapping have proven useful. Here participants / interviewers provide network data by actually mapping out

1275-469: The September 11 attacks . Large textual corpora can be turned into networks and then analysed with the method of social network analysis. In these networks, the nodes are Social Actors, and the links are Actions. The extraction of these networks can be automated by using parsers. The resulting networks, which can contain thousands of nodes, are then analysed by using tools from network theory to identify

1326-585: The 1930s Jacob Moreno and Helen Jennings introduced basic analytical methods. In 1954, John Arundel Barnes started using the term systematically to denote patterns of ties, encompassing concepts traditionally used by the public and those used by social scientists: bounded groups (e.g., tribes, families) and social categories (e.g., gender, ethnicity). Starting in the 1970s, scholars such as Ronald Burt , Kathleen Carley , Mark Granovetter , David Krackhardt , Edward Laumann , Anatol Rapoport , Barry Wellman , Douglas R. White , and Harrison White expanded

1377-577: The 1960s he joined the pioneering department of Systems Engineering at Lancaster University , where he became professor of Systems. At Lancaster he led a programme of action research . This research team developed a new way of tackling problem situations faced by managers – Soft Systems Methodology. The SSM approach is now used and taught worldwide. Since the 1990s he is Professor Emeritus of Systems in Lancaster University Management School . Peter Checkland worked on

1428-525: The R package SIENA (Simulation Investigation for Empirical Network Analyses), developed by Tom Snijders and colleagues. Longitudinal social network analysis became mainstream after the publication of a special issue of the Journal of Research on Adolescence in 2013, edited by René Veenstra and containing 15 empirical papers. Social network analysis is also used in intelligence, counter-intelligence and law enforcement activities. This technique allows

1479-715: The SNP of respondents and by targeting High SNP respondents, the strength and relevance of quantitative marketing research used to drive viral marketing strategies is enhanced. Variables used to calculate an individual's SNP include but are not limited to: participation in Social Networking activities, group memberships, leadership roles, recognition, publication/editing/contributing to non-electronic media, publication/editing/contributing to electronic media (websites, blogs), and frequency of past distribution of information within their network. The acronym "SNP" and some of

1530-476: The analysis is on the "connections" made among the participants – how they interact and communicate – as opposed to how each participant behaved on his or her own. There are several key terms associated with social network analysis research in computer-supported collaborative learning such as: density , centrality , indegree , outdegree , and sociogram . In-degree and out-degree variables are related to centrality. Researchers employ social network analysis in

1581-405: The analysts to map covert organizations such as an espionage ring, an organized crime family or a street gang. The National Security Agency (NSA) uses its electronic surveillance programs to generate the data needed to perform this type of analysis on terrorist cells and other networks deemed relevant to national security. The NSA looks up to three nodes deep during this network analysis. After

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1632-485: The context of social marketing intelligence was Communities Dominate Brands by Ahonen & Moore in 2005. In 2012, Nicola Greco ( UCL ) presents at TEDx the Social Networking Potential as a parallelism to the potential energy that users generate and companies should use, stating that "SNP is the new asset that every company should aim to have". Social network analysis is used extensively in

1683-553: The data is done through displaying nodes and ties in various layouts, and attributing colors, size and other advanced properties to nodes. Visual representations of networks may be a powerful method for conveying complex information, but care should be taken in interpreting node and graph properties from visual displays alone, as they may misrepresent structural properties better captured through quantitative analyses. Signed graphs can be used to illustrate good and bad relationships between humans. A positive edge between two nodes denotes

1734-831: The editorial board of journals such as European Journal of Information Systems ; the International Journal of Information Management; the International Journal of General Systems ; the Systems Practice; and the Systems Research journal. In 1986 Peter Checkland was president of the Society for General Systems Research , now International Society for the Systems Sciences. In May 1996 he was awarded an honorary degree from

1785-582: The emergence of new data available about online social networks as well as "digital traces" regarding face-to-face networks. Computational SNA has been extensively used in research on study-abroad second language acquisition. Even in the study of literature, network analysis has been applied by Anheier, Gerhards and Romo, Wouter De Nooy, and Burgert Senekal. Indeed, social network analysis has found applications in various academic disciplines as well as practical contexts such as countering money laundering and terrorism . Size: The number of network members in

1836-449: The environment. In an important way his work preceded data science and change management disciplines in the next century. Checkland attended George Dixon's Grammar School, and in 1954 received a M.A. degree in chemistry at St John's College, Oxford , where he graduated with 1st class honours. He worked in the industry for 15 years as a manager in ICI's chemicals business. At the end of

1887-402: The first algorithms developed to quantify an individual's social networking potential were described in the white paper "Advertising Research is Changing" (Gerstley, 2003) See Viral Marketing . The first book to discuss the commercial use of Alpha Users among mobile telecoms audiences was 3G Marketing by Ahonen, Kasper and Melkko in 2004. The first book to discuss Alpha Users more generally in

1938-501: The initial mapping of the social network is complete, analysis is performed to determine the structure of the network and determine, for example, the leaders within the network. This allows military or law enforcement assets to launch capture-or-kill decapitation attacks on the high-value targets in leadership positions to disrupt the functioning of the network. The NSA has been performing social network analysis on call detail records (CDRs), also known as metadata , since shortly after

1989-414: The key actors, the key communities or parties, and general properties such as robustness or structural stability of the overall network, or centrality of certain nodes. This automates the approach introduced by Quantitative Narrative Analysis, whereby subject-verb-object triplets are identified with pairs of actors linked by an action, or pairs formed by actor-object. In other approaches, textual analysis

2040-406: The minimum number of members who, if removed from a group, would disconnect the group. Visual representation of social networks is important to understand the network data and convey the result of the analysis. Numerous methods of visualization for data produced by social network analysis have been presented. Many of the analytic software have modules for network visualization. Exploration of

2091-406: The network (with pen and paper or digitally) during the data collection session. An example of a pen-and-paper network mapping approach, which also includes the collection of some actor attributes (perceived influence and goals of actors) is the * Net-map toolbox . One benefit of this approach is that it allows researchers to collect qualitative data and ask clarifying questions while the network data

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2142-471: The private sector, businesses use social network analysis to support activities such as customer interaction and analysis, information system development analysis, marketing, and business intelligence needs (see social media analytics ). Some public sector uses include development of leader engagement strategies, analysis of individual and group engagement and media use , and community-based problem solving . Large numbers of researchers worldwide examine

2193-426: The quality, topic, and strategies of communication. Additionally, SNA can focus on specific aspects of the network connection, or the entire network as a whole. It uses graphical representations, written representations, and data representations to help examine the connections within a CSCL network. When applying SNA to a CSCL environment the interactions of the participants are treated as a social network. The focus of

2244-399: The social networks of children and adolescents. In questionnaires, they list all classmates, students in the same grade, or schoolmates, asking: "who are your best friends?". Students may sometimes nominate as many peers as they wish; other times, the number of nominations is limited. Social network researchers have investigated similarities in friendship networks. The similarity between friends

2295-474: The strategies used to communicate within the group. Some authors also suggest that SNA provides a method of easily analyzing changes in participatory patterns of members over time. A number of research studies have applied SNA to CSCL across a variety of contexts. The findings include the correlation between a network's density and the teacher's presence, a greater regard for the recommendations of "central" participants, infrequency of cross-gender interaction in

2346-417: The study of computer-supported collaborative learning in part due to the unique capabilities it offers. This particular method allows the study of interaction patterns within a networked learning community and can help illustrate the extent of the participants' interactions with the other members of the group. The graphics created using SNA tools provide visualizations of the connections among participants and

2397-478: The use of systematic social network analysis. Beginning in the late 1990s, social network analysis experienced a further resurgence with work by sociologists, political scientists, economists, computer scientists, and physicists such as Duncan J. Watts , Albert-László Barabási , Peter Bearman , Nicholas A. Christakis , James H. Fowler , Mark Newman , Matthew Jackson , Jon Kleinberg , and others, developing and applying new models and methods, prompted in part by

2448-550: The web. The connections between organizations has been analyzed via hyperlink analysis to examine which organizations within an issue community. Another concept that has emerged from this connection between social network theory and the Internet is the concept of netocracy , where several authors have emerged studying the correlation between the extended use of online social networks, and changes in social power dynamics. Social network analysis has been applied to social media as

2499-419: Was developed by sociologist Ronald Burt , and is sometimes referred to as an alternate conception of social capital. Tie Strength: Defined by the linear combination of time, emotional intensity, intimacy and reciprocity (i.e. mutuality). Strong ties are associated with homophily, propinquity and transitivity, while weak ties are associated with bridges. Groups are identified as ' cliques ' if every individual

2550-699: Was developed in England by academics at the University of Lancaster Systems Department through a ten-year action research programme. The main contributor is Peter Checkland (born 18 December 1930, in Birmingham, UK), a British management scientist and emeritus professor of systems at Lancaster University. Systems analysis branch of systems science that analyzes systems, the interactions within those systems, or interaction with its environment, often prior to their automation as computer models. Systems analysis

2601-691: Was established as far back as classical antiquity. Resemblance is an important basis for the survival of friendships. Similarity in characteristics, attitudes, or behaviors means that friends understand each other more quickly, have common interests to talk about, know better where they stand with each other, and have more trust in each other. As a result, such relationships are more stable and valuable. Moreover, looking more alike makes young people more confident and strengthens them in developing their identity. Similarity in behavior can result from two processes: selection and influence. These two processes can be distinguished using longitudinal social network analysis in

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