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Social Network Analysis
Overview
Social network analysis is a method that is used to collect, analyze, and graphically represent data that describe the relationships within and between groups of people or organizations. It can also be used to represent how people interact with specific resources.A typical social network map includes nodes, which represent individuals, organizations, or resources. These nodes are connected with flow indicators, which may represent the flow of information, energy, or money. The strength or importance of particular relationships is often depicted by varying thickness of lines and arrows.
Credit: NOAA CSC Social Science Methods for Marine Protected Areas Managers
General Considerations
ApplicationSocial network analysis can be used at many different levels. In small groups it can be used to determine who people consult if they have questions or concerns, thus identifying those individuals in leadership roles. Knowing this information can help managers target education and outreach messages.
Social network analysis can also be used to examine the role of organizations in resource-related issues. It can help determine which organizations are involved in resource use, whom the key individuals are, which organizations are the most influential, and which organizations are the most likely to work together. This knowledge may help managers in securing assistance to implement regulations or to identify where relationships could be improved.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths- Can help target public outreach resources to key individuals
- Helps visualize flows of individuals, energy, materials, nutrients, information, and money through the established groups
- Provides an image of community dynamics
- May reveal otherwise unobservable connections
- May alleviate disparities between managers, and stakeholders by illustrating perceived relationships
- May require large amounts of time and money to perform the analysis, depending on the problem, the type of information desired, and the level of expertise needed
- Often requires a computer, specialized software, and trained users
- May be highly sensitive to missing data
- Requires a basic understanding of social network mapping theory
 Identifying Communication Networks among Fishermen in North Carolina Determining who are the most influential individuals within a community of king mackerel fishermen. |
Expertise Needed
This technique requires assistance from skilled experts. Specialized software may also be required.
Contact Information
Please email partner@hd.gov for a list of partners who have expertise in social network analysis.
Resources
Hanneman, R.A. 2001. An Introduction to Social Network Methods. Department of Sociology. University of California, Riverside.Scott, J. 1991. Social Network Analysis: A Handbook. London; Newbury Park, California: SAGE Publications.
Wasserman, S. 1994. Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Web Sites
An Introduction to Social Network Analysis
An example of a social network and a description of the different components of a social network.
International Network for Social Network Analysis
A nonprofit professional association for researchers interested in social network analysis.