Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Department of Social Sciences - Berlin Graduate School of Social Science

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | Department of Social Sciences | Berlin Graduate School of Social Science | News and Events | News and Events | BGSS Graduate Workshop: Introduction to Network Research, April 29-30, 2015

BGSS Graduate Workshop: Introduction to Network Research, April 29-30, 2015

with Jan Fuhse (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
  • When Apr 29, 2015 04:00 to Apr 30, 2015 04:00
  • Where Luisenstrasse 56, 10117 Berlin, room 220.
  • iCal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two-day workshop provides an introduction into network research in the social sciences. It focuses on the basic techniques for the analysis of networks, and on presenting and discussing the four strands of network research:


(1)    The most important strand is the formal analysis of networks. Here, full networks of ties within a population (e.g.: a school class) are studied. We look for simple structural measures (density, reciprocity, homophily), for individual differences in positions (centrality, power), for structural propensities (transitivity, hierarchy), and for the overall structure of the network (core / periphery, subgroups, blockmodels). In addition, two-mode networks with two types of interconnected nodes are analyzed, e.g. actors and events. We get to know these various methods by way of simple analyses with the program UCINET.

(2)    Secondly, we discuss examples of qualitative network research. We examine different methods with regard to their systematic scope and ambitions. These methods comprise network cards, narrative interviews, text analysis, and relational ethnography.

(3)    Ego-centered networks are used to study the individual social environment with regard to size, structure, and attributes of alters. These are analyzed in correlation with other individual attributes (age, education, gender, ethnic background, life-styles). Looking at empirical studies, we discuss the overall research logic of this strand and the methods of network generators and network interpreters.

(4)    Over the last 20 years, a number of approaches to a theory of social networks have been formulated. We discuss selected texts with a focus on connections to action theory, systems theory, and the distinct approach of relational sociology.


About half of the workshop will be devoted to the first research strand and to working with UCINET. The other strands are mainly dealt with by way of reading and discussing texts, rather than through empirical application.

 

Please note: The workshop is part of the co-operation in graduate training between BGSS, BTS and the Hertie School. Doctoral researchers can obtain CPs for their curriculum (e.g. module "Qualitative Methods", BGSS curriculum).