Network Analysis: Integrating Social Network Theory, Method, and Application wit [Paperback]

A comprehensive yet accessible introduction to the theory, methods, and application of social network analysis.For both students and professionals seeking to understand the burgeoning field of network analysis, our text offers a comprehensive overview that integrates theory, method, and cutting-edge application with R (a free platform that is becoming the standard for the field).For both students and professionals seeking to understand the burgeoning field of network analysis, our text offers a comprehensive overview that integrates theory, method, and cutting-edge application with R (a free platform that is becoming the standard for the field).The size and availability of network information has exploded over the last decade. Social scientists now share the stage of network analysis with computer scientists, physicists, and statisticians. While a number of introductions to network analysis are now available, most focus on theory, methods, or application alone. This book integrates all three. Network Analysis is an introduction to both the why and how of Social Network Analysis (SNA). It presents a broad theoretical overview rooted in social scientific approaches and guides users in how network analysis can answer core theoretical questions. It provides a comprehensive overview of descriptive and analytical approaches, including practical tutorials in R with sample data sets. Using an integrated approach, this book aims to quickly bring novice network researchers up to speed while avoiding common programming and analysis mistakes so that they might gain insight into the fundamental theories, key concepts, and methodological application of SNA.Introduction; 1. Network analysis today; Part I. Thinking Structurally: 2. What is social structure?; 3. What is a social network?; 4. How are social network data collected?; 5. How are social network data visualized?; Part II. Seeing Structure: 6. Structuration and ego-centric networks; 7. Sociality and elementary forms of strlS+