Metrics Social network analysis

1 metrics

1.1 connections
1.2 distributions
1.3 segmentation

metrics

hue (from red=0 blue=max) indicates each node s betweenness centrality.


connections

homophily: extent actors form ties similar versus dissimilar others. similarity can defined gender, race, age, occupation, educational achievement, status, values or other salient characteristic. homophily referred assortativity.

multiplexity: number of content-forms contained in tie. example, 2 people friends , work have multiplexity of 2. multiplexity has been associated relationship strength.

mutuality/reciprocity: extent 2 actors reciprocate each other s friendship or other interaction.

network closure: measure of completeness of relational triads. individual s assumption of network closure (i.e. friends friends) called transitivity. transitivity outcome of individual or situational trait of need cognitive closure.

propinquity: tendency actors have more ties geographically close others.

distributions

bridge: individual weak ties fill structural hole, providing link between 2 individuals or clusters. includes shortest route when longer 1 unfeasible due high risk of message distortion or delivery failure.

centrality: centrality refers group of metrics aim quantify importance or influence (in variety of senses) of particular node (or group) within network. examples of common methods of measuring centrality include betweenness centrality, closeness centrality, eigenvector centrality, alpha centrality, , degree centrality.

density: proportion of direct ties in network relative total number possible.

distance: minimum number of ties required connect 2 particular actors, popularized stanley milgram s small world experiment , idea of 6 degrees of separation .

structural holes: absence of ties between 2 parts of network. finding , exploiting structural hole can give entrepreneur competitive advantage. concept developed sociologist ronald burt, , referred alternate conception of social capital.

tie strength: defined linear combination of time, emotional intensity, intimacy , reciprocity (i.e. mutuality). strong ties associated homophily, propinquity , transitivity, while weak ties associated bridges.

segmentation

groups identified cliques if every individual directly tied every other individual, social circles if there less stringency of direct contact, imprecise, or structurally cohesive blocks if precision wanted.

clustering coefficient: measure of likelihood 2 associates of node associates. higher clustering coefficient indicates greater cliquishness .

cohesion: degree actors connected directly each other cohesive bonds. structural cohesion refers minimum number of members who, if removed group, disconnect group.