Network Modeling & Inference

SNA Module 4: Essential Readings

Overview

In Lab 4 we shift our focus from mathematical approaches for describing networks to statistical approaches for explaining and ultimately predicting network properties and outcomes for those embedded within these networks. A secondary goal of readings and discussion is to help you start generating ideas for independent application of network analysis. As part of our readings, for example, you’ll be introduced to a range of questions that statistical models for network data can help answer.

Readings

The following readings move us beyond techniques introduced in Lab 1 & 2 for describing networks and focus on 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. 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.

1. Chapter 8: An Introduction to Statistical Inference With Network Data

2. Chapter 9: Network Data and Statistical Models

Reflection

To help guide your reflection on the readings, a set of guiding questions are provided below. After you have had a chance to work through one or more of the readings, we encourage you to contribute to our learning community by creating a new post to our Social Network Analysis Team on GitHub. Your post might contain a response to one or more of the guiding questions, questions you still have about the topics addressed, or insights gained into your own research.

Chapter 8: Statistical Inference With Network Data

• Why are simulations necessary in order to make probabilistic inferences with network data?

• Explain in plain language how simulations are used to create a probability distribution that enables you to make a statistical inference with network data.

• Contrast the aims of the mathematical and statistical approaches to social network analysis. For what reasons would educational researchers prefer one approach versus the other?

Chapter 9: Network Data and Statistical Models

Using one of the studies mentioned throughout this chapter, identify the statistical model that was employed and answer one or more the following questions:

• Do you think the choice of statistical model(s) used was appropriate?

• If this same study were to use standard statistical models that assume independence among observations, how would this influence the study’s results?

• Assume you had network data from an entire high school student body (N = 250) and were interested in predicting a student’s number of friends from covariates such as sex, grade level, and academic performance. What model would be most appropriate to test these relationships?