What is Social Network Analysis

A method used to focus on the relationships between members of a group to better understand human behavior, in this case the efficiency of networked learning.

The study of social networks and human interrelationships.

The study of the relationships between people, groups or organizations

The study of social interactions from a network perspective, using tools from graph theory ( Newman, 2010 ).

A structured methodology to analyze the relationships among nodes in a network, where nodes can represent individuals, groups, or organizations. The results of the analysis can be used as a diagnostic to inform the manager of the current structure of the social network and where information silos exist.

An interdisciplinary study that involves sociology, anthropology, psychology, computer and information science to analyze complex relationships and model them in a social network.

The mapping and measuring of relationships and flows between people, groups, organizations, animals, computers, or other information/knowledge processing entities.

Mathematical technique developed to understand structure and behaviour between members of social system, to map relationships between individuals in social network.

Social network analysis is a research methodology utilized in research to investigate the structure and patterns of the relationship between social agents. Examples of sources of relational data include: contacts, connections, and group ties which can be studied using quantitative methodologies.

Characterization of social networks to infer how network structures may influence the exposure risk among its nodes.

SNA has emerged as a new approach for understanding relationships among participants in an online learning environment. It serves to identify a set of structural variables such as density, connectivity, and heterogeneity that are implied in a network, and incorporates mathematical and statistical devices to measure individual positions within a network of participants.

SNA has been described as “ the mapping and measuring of relationships and flows between people, groups, organisations, computers or other information/knowledge processing entities. The nodes in the network are the people and groups, while the links show relationships or flows between the nodes” ( Krebs, 2006 ). SNA deems relationships significant, and maps and evaluates both formal and informal connections in order to obtain an understanding of what assists or hampers knowledge flow within cooperating divisions. According to Mertens et al. (2013) , SNA employed within an organisation is occasionally referred to as organisational network analysis (ONA). In such an instance, the emphasis is placed on “identifying key networks within organisational boundaries, understanding the structure of personal and group relationships within these networks, and using this understanding to make a difference to business performance” (p. 3). SNAs can therefore be regarded as visual and mathematical tools and techniques that are utilised to identify and analyse relationship patterns among actors within a network. It can be implemented in order to help organisations develop their strategic decisions, promote innovation and to advance the flow of information and knowledge for example.

An analytical tool used by investigators to identify, understand and evaluate networks of collaborating individuals across disparate and often unconnected sources of data.

A methodological approach that employs quantitative techniques to analyse social structures.

The measure of relations between and among actors (people, computers, groups, organizations, etc.) to approximate the flow of information or resources.

Process of investigating social structures through the use of networks and graph theory.

the use of mathematical models to apply network characteristics to social phenomena. Visualisation: A graphical representation of data.

A research approach focused on identifying and mapping the organizational topology structure of a group. The effort focuses on identifying the relationships between organizations and how they interact.

Social network analysis involves the theorizing, model building and empirical research focused on uncovering the patterning of links among network members (Freeman, 2000). Social network analysis conceives of social structure as a social network: a set of social actors and a set of relations ties connecting pairs of these actors (Wellman, 2000).

A research methodology to analyze networks between people, groups, organizations, and systems within and across organizations.

The study and mapping of social structure through nodes and their ties. SNA is a numeric way to quantify connectivity for nodes (generally individuals or organizational entities) via specific ties to one or more types of interdependency (trust, values, affiliation, etc).

The systematic study of patterns of relationships between people.

A discipline aimed at collecting statistical data from the analysis of social network topology ( Wasserman & Faust, 1994 ; Freeman, 2004 ).

A large collection of methodologies, measurements, and tools that can be used for the description and analysis of graph-based social networks.

A research methodology which explores the relations between a set of actors in a social network.

In its simplest form, a social network is a map of all of the relevant ties between nodes being studied. The nodes are usually individuals tied by specific types of interdependency, such as values, ideas, exchange of communication, friendship etc. Social Network Analysis is a method of analysis used in order to study social relationships within a social network, in terms of nodes and ties .

Is the ability to observe a social network, identifying their nodes, relationships and the content flowing through them. And using that analysis to generate new knowledge.

is the study of mathematical models for interactions among people, groups, and objects.

A type of data analysis conducted on a social network, which aims to reveal the hidden relationship between entities and to calculate the parameters and indicators using nodes, edges, and communities.

All four of these features are found in modern social network analysis, and together they define the field: i) Social network analysis is motivated by a structural intuition based on ties linking social actors; ii) It is grounded in systematic empirical data; iii) It draws heavily on graphic imagery, and iv)It relies on the use of mathematical and/or computational models. (Freeman, 2004).

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a methodological approach that examines and analyzes the relationships between individuals, groups, or organizations within a social structure. It is a valuable tool for studying social network members' interactions, communication, and information flow patterns.

It is a technique developed in sociology, social psychology and anthropology to study relational ties between social actors. The SNA seeks to understand through quantification methods the strength and centrality of nodes and links by providing a graphical illustration of the network structure.

A research method to measure and analyze patterns and properties of a social structure where actors interrelate and interact with each other.

Mathematical technique developed to understand structure and behaviour between members of social system, to map relationships between individuals in social network.

Mathematical technique developed to understand structure and behaviour between members of social system, to map relationships between individuals in social network.

The measure of relations between and among actors (people, computers, groups, organizations, etc.) to approximate the flow of information or resources.

The process of investigating social structures through the use of graph analytics. The nodes of the social networks are typically assumed to be individuals and the edges are based on the underlying inter-individual interaction phenomenon that is being studied such as friendship or location proximity.

The study of relationships or interactions between entities that are part of the same (social) network (e.g., department, school, digital library).

Is a way of finding out relationship between people, groups and/or concepts. This should not be confused with the social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Social Network Analysis is the techniques used to study social networks. While traditionally sociologists focus on the individual elements in their study, social network analysis emphasizes more on relations between individuals.

The investigation of social structures via networks and graph theory constitutes social network analysis. Networked structures are defined by the connections between nodes (representing individual actors, people, or objects within the network) and ties, edges, or links (representing relationships or interactions).

investigates relations between people in society. In the past these investigations were of great effort, but today relations between users in on-line communities can be analysed more easily. However, from these relations a relationships between people cannot be derived with security.

Mathematical technique developed to understand structure and behaviour between members of social system, to map relationships between individuals in social network.

The systematic study of patterns of relationships between people.

Mathematical technique developed to understand structure and behaviour between members of social system, to map relationships between individuals in social network.