Building and Analyzing Node-Link Diagrams to Understand Social Networks

 

"Visual Complexity" (A Random Walk)

Node-link diagrams (or "graph drawing") come in a range of forms, with varying levels of complexity. These are so visually engaging and dazzling that it sometimes takes some doing to get past the look-and-feel and move to the substance...

  

 

By Shalin Hai-Jew, Instructional Designer, iTAC, K-State

Colleague 2 Colleague (C2C)'s SIDLIT

Aug. 2 - 3, 2012

 

Session Description: A common trend in online learning involves a focus on interactivity (how learners engage with others in the online classroom) and long-term social interactions over time (for competitive advantages).   This presentation will introduce a software program that creates node-link diagrams to map social networks to show connections between centers and peripheries, the thick nodes and the thin ones, and some of the conclusions that may be drawn from these visualizations.   Social network analysis has been used in a variety of fields:   epidemiology, terror group analysis, cultural analysis, and even online learning. This type of research is necessarily multidisciplinary (juxtaposing disciplinary perspectives), interdisciplinary (integrative of various disciplinary data), and transdisciplinary (forming comprehensive frameworks transcending the narrower world views). On the surface alone, social network analysis draws from network analysis; sociology; psychology, and other domains. Further, this research taps unique domains to draw out analytical information. This presentation will include a smattering of some of the findings of the research on social networks. This may include the analysis of some homegrown data from an institution of higher education in Kansas.  

 

Presentation Overview 

 

Introduction to Social Networks

 

 

Some Social Network Research Discoveries (Examples)

 

SOCIALIZING

Mediated Friendships

Small World Networks

Job Hunting and Weak Ties

 

DIFFUSION OF INNOVATION (or Anything Transmittable)

Diffusion of Innovation

 

POPULATION HEALTH

Epidemiology and Herd Immunities

 

POWER (and the Structures of Power)

Selectorate Theory

Brokerage Roles / Tertius Gaudens / Exploiting Gaps / Breaking Groups

Terror Groups and Structures

 

HIGHER EDUCATION

 

Conclusion

 

Resources

 

Selected Social Network Diagrams

 

 

 

Let's Talk!

 

 

 

  • YOUR INTERESTS AND QUESTIONS: Who are you? :) What are your interests in attending this session? What questions would you like to have answered today?

 

  • PRIOR EXPERIENCES: What prior experiences have you had with social network research?

 

  • CURRENT OR FUTURE PROJECTS? Are there any projects you would like to pursue in social network research? How do you plan to proceed? What do you hope to learn?

 

 

 

 


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