Social Network Analysis
Although social network analysis (SNA) and its educational antecedents date back to the early 1900s, the popularity of social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have raised awareness of, and renewed interests in, social networks and their influence. As the use of digital resources continues to expand in education, data collected by these educational technologies has also greatly facilitated the application of network analysis to teaching and learning. The SNA modules are designed to prepare STEM education researchers to apply network analysis in order to better understand and improve student learning and the contexts in which learning occurs. The presentations, readings, and case studies for each module draw from the excellent book, Social Network Analysis and Education (Carolan 2014). Collectively, the modules provide education researchers with an overview of social network theory, examples of network analysis in STEM educational contexts, and applied experience with widely adopted tools and techniques.
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Github |
Repository for Instructors |
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Posit Cloud | Workspace for Students |
Module 1: Network Analysis for Newbies
The first module is a gentle introduction to data collection, management and visualization. The focus of our Essential Readings and case study in this lab is to help LASER Scholars gain a general understanding of key SNA concepts and terminology, as well as develop a basic comfort level with representing networks visually. Our SNA Case Study: Who’s Friends with Who in Middle School is guided by the work of Pittinsky and Carolan Pittinsky and Carolan (2008) and compares teacher perceptions and student reports of classroom middle school friendship and helps reinforce the importance of treating behavioral and cognitive classroom friendship networks and ties as distinct. Finally, the Intro to SNA Badge provides an opportunity create your own data product and to reflect on how theses concepts and techniques might apply to your own research.
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Conceptual Overview |
An Introduction to Social Network Analysis |
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Code Along | Data Structures & Sociograms |
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Readings & Reflection |
Background and Basic Concepts |
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Case Study | Who’s Friends with Who in Middle School (Answer Key) |
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Badge | Intro to SNA |
Module 2: Network Management & Measurement
Module 2 moves beyond basic concepts of network analysis and takes a closer look at the collection, management, and measurement of network data. Our Essential Readings examine the different levels at which social networks can be analyzed, as well as common network measures for describing properties of complete networks. Our Case Study: A Tale of Two MOOCs compares discussion networks from two courses using an open educational dataset prepared by Kellogg and Edelman Kellogg and Edelmann (2015) as part of the Friday Institute’s work around Massively Open Online Courses for Educators (MOOC-Eds). Finally, the Measurement Badge provides an opportunity create your own data product and to reflect on how theses concepts and techniques might apply to your own research.
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Conceptual Overview |
Data Collection & Quality |
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Code Along | Density, Reciprocity, & Centrality |
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Readings & Reflection |
Data Management & Network Measurement |
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Case Study | A Tale of Two MOOC (Answer Key) |
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Badge | Network Measurement Badge |
Module 3: Groups, Positions, & Egocentric Analysis
Module 3 shifts the focus from complete network analysis and zooms in on methods and measures for analyzing groups, positions, and individual actors. Our Essential Readings and case study explore both “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches to identify a network’s groups and extend measures introduced in the previous lab to identify individuals central to the network. Our SNA Case Study: Hashtag Common Core is inspired by the work of Supovitz et al. Supovitz et al. (2017) who examined groups and key actors that emerged during the intense Twitter debate surrounding the Common Core State Standards. You can learn more about their work on the expansive and interactive website for the #COMMONCORE Project. Finally, the Groups & Egos Badge provides an opportunity create your own data product and to reflect on how theses concepts and techniques might apply to your own research.
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Conceptual Overview |
Group Identification in Networks |
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Code Along | Components, Cliques & Key Actors |
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Readings & Discussion |
Groups, Positions, and Egocentric Analysis |
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Case Study | Hashtag Common Core (Answer Key) |
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Badge | Groups & Egos |
Module 4: Statistical Inference & Network Models
Module 4 wraps up our work with SNA and examines recent advances in inferential statistics that can be used to make predictions from social network data and test hypotheses we have about a network of interest. Through our Essential Readings, we’ll learn about different techniques that make use of simulations to model network data and how these statistical models are used to address questions that more completely reflect the complexity of educational settings. For example, our SNA Case Study: Birds of a Feather Lead Together is inspired by the work of Daly and Finnigan Daly and Finnigan (2011) makes use of Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) to examine social processes (e.g. reciprocity and homophily) that might explain how school and district-level leaders select peers for collaboration or confidential exchanges. Finally, the Models & Inference Badge provides an opportunity create your own data product and to reflect on how theses concepts and techniques might apply to your own research.
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Conceptual Overview |
Network Inference & Applications |
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Code Along | Intro to ERGMs |
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Readings & Discussion |
Network Modeling & Inference |
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Case Study | Birds of a Feather Lead Together (Answer Key) |
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Badge | Models & Inference |
Microcredential
The culminating activity for the SNA Modules is designed to provide you some space for independent analysis of a self-identified data source. To earn your SNA Microcredential, you are required to demonstrate your ability to formulate a basic research question appropriate to a social network context, wrangle and analyze relational data, and communicate key findings. Your primary goal for this analysis is to create a simple data product that illustrates key findings by applying the knowledge and skills acquired from the essential readings and case studies.
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Microcredential | Social Network Analysis and Education |