Introduction to SNA

Overview

A non-technical 3-day course led by Dan Brass, Rich DeJordy and Dan Halgin

Starting May 31, it meets Wednesday, Thurday, and Friday from 9:30am - 11:30am EDT and 12:30pm - 2:30pm EDT (12 contact hours).

This workshop provides a balanced introduction to social network analysis, including theoretical concepts and network measures, using software and interpreting results. The morning modules on Monday and Tuesday provide a theoretical, historical and empirical overview of the field led by Dan Brass, a pioneer of social network research in organizations. Other modules, led by Rich DeJordy and Dan Halgin, introduce the main concepts of SNA, including centrality, cohesion, and social capital, and demonstrate routines using UCINET and Netdraw software (both Windows programs). Participants are encouraged to follow along on their own machines. Please read the software information below about the Windows-based programs that we will use. Although our expertise is primarily in social networks and management research, we do our best to incorporate examples relevant to participants with backgrounds in education, health, history, and other disciplines. Xiwen Zhao and Jason Ross will serve as teaching assistants for this workshop.

Wednesday, May 31

9:30am - 11:30am EDT: A theoretical, historical, and empirical overview of the field: Part 1 (led by Dan Brass)
12:30pm - 2:30pm EDT: An introduction to UCINET and Netdraw (led by Rich DeJordy)
2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT: TA office hours

Thursday, June 1

9:30am - 11:30am EDT: A theoretical, historical, and empirical overview of the field: Part 2 (led by Dan Brass)
12:30pm - 2:30pm EDT: Whole network measures (led by Rich DeJordy)
2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT: TA office hours

Friday June 2

9:30am - 11:30am EDT: Centrality (led by Dan Halgin)
12:30pm - 2:30pm EDT: Ego networks (led by Dan Halgin)
2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT: TA office hours

Monday June 5 & Tuesday June 6

9:30am - 11:00am EDT: TA office hours

Software

We introduce participants to the use of UCINET and Netdraw. Both are Windows programs. If you are a Mac or Linux user, we recommend installing Windows via an emulator to seamlessly run UCINET and Netdraw. We recommend Windows Emulators that provide a native Windows context as that will be used in the examples, exercises, and demonstrations during the workshop. Examples include Parallels and VMware Fusion for MacOS or VMware Workstation and QEMU for Linux. We will not be able to provide technical support related to problems arising from different operating platforms during the workshop. Visit our software page for more information.

UCINET (includes NetDraw)

Make sure you have version 6.765 or later. If not, download and install the current version
- Download: https://sites.google.com/site/ucinetsoftware/download
The installation program installs both the 32-bit version and the 64-bit version. In class we will use the 32-bit version only
Please look at this document 'setting up ucinet' to ensure that the program properly installed on your computer
Not free, but runs for 90 days without a registration code. If someone has previously downloaded the program and the trial period has expired, we can refresh it for the workshop
Installing UCINET also installs helper program Netdraw.exe
The installation procedure creates a folder called UCINET DATA in the user’s Documents folder. This is the folder the user should use for workshop data

Note: Those already familiar with UCINET may want to consider taking the Intermediate track.