Designing Empirical Social Networks Research
Published on 21. November 2024
Book
Hardback
186 pages
978-1-009-48418-3 (ISBN)
Description
A user-friendly introductory guide to the empirical study of social networks. Jennifer M. Larson presents the fundamentals of social networks in an intuition-forward way which guides theory-driven research design. Substantial attention is devoted to a framework for developing a network theory that will steer data collection to be maximally informative and minimally frustrating. Other features include: Coverage of a range of practical topics including selecting operationalizations, cutting survey costs, and cleaning data; A tutorial for getting started in analyzing networks in R; Technical sections full of examples, points to hone intuition, and practice problems with solutions. Designing Empirical Social Networks Research will be a valuable tool for advanced undergraduates, Ph.D. students in the social sciences, especially political science, and researchers across the social sciences who are new to the study of networks.
Reviews / Votes
'This book delivers exactly what the title promises by providing clear, concise, step-by-step guidance for designing empirical social networks research. Larson introduces readers to the conceptual language necessary to theorize the role and nature of networks, and explains how to analyze networks empirically. The book will be an invaluable resource for social scientists interested in adding social networks research to their toolkit.' Imke Harbers, Associate Professor of Political Science, the University of Amsterdam 'Much has been written about the analysis of network data, but the field has lacked a comprehensive guide to the design of network research until now. Particularly important in Larson's book is the focus on developing a sound network theory and using that to guide the rest of the process, from data gathering and processing to analysis. With practical examples from an experienced field researcher throughout, this book is a definitive reference for those embarking on network research.' Skyler J. Cranmer, Carter Phillips and Sue Henry Professor and Director, Machine Intelligence and Data Science (MIDS) Laboratory, The Ohio State UniversityMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
429 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-48418-3 (9781009484183)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Jennifer M. Larson
Designing Empirical Social Networks Research
Book
11/2024
Cambridge University Press
€32.20
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Jennifer M. Larson is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt University.
Content
1. Introduction to social networks research; 2. Describing and interpreting social network features; 3. Accounting for substantive network features; 4. Crafting a network theory; 5. Moving from theory to Empirics; 6. Acquiring network data; 7. Preparing network data; 8. Working with network data in R; 9. Conclusion: where to turn next; Selected answers; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.