Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Note on the Text
- 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
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Index
1 - Introduction to Social Networks Research
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 November 2024
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Note on the Text
- 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
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
An empirical social networks study is concerned with what a well-defined social network is like, and whether and how it matters in some context of interest. Designing a successful one requires serious thinking on the front end about what the network is and what it does in theory. This book aims to help researchers do just that. To begin, this chapter motivates this research area with examples from political science, explains why the topic is unique enough to warrant a whole book, and offers guidance on how to know if your research should incorporate networks.
Keywords
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- Designing Empirical Social Networks Research , pp. 1 - 13Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024