Social Network Analysis

At its heart, social network analysis (SNA) is a method to identify and explore relationships between actors or organizations within a system. SNA produces visual representations of networks by indicating an actor or organization as a dot or node on the map, and the relationship between nodes with a simple line or tie of connection between two nodes or more. The value of SNA is that it can be used to visualize any kind of social relationship. The network structure produced is dictated by the question of social relationship that is asked, or researched regarding your system actors. While used across a range of fields of study, SNA offers a unique perspective on relationships that are otherwise often invisible within a system. SNA can be used to explore the flow of information, resources, power and decision making, collaboration and partnerships as well as informal networks such as advice giving.

Importantly, social network analysis as a method sits within a rich and expansive academic field of study, which includes considerable analytical methods to explore what a network’s structure says about it’s function. For a solid introduction and understanding to social network analysis, readers can turn to Analyzing Social Networks, by Steve Borgatti, Martin Everett and Jeffrey Johnson. Within this facilitation guide we offer a very simple introduction to building a social network map. Additionally, for longevity, it is best to digitize a SNA map and many software applications are available for this explicit purpose.

Accessibility:

This activity requires participants to engage is sensemaking and pattern recognition

This activity requires participants to engage is social learning

Output: There are several outputs from this method including survey data, digital mapping and optional statistical analyses. Survey software such as surveymonkey or similar can be used for data gathering while Kumu offers a simple way to map and explore social networks from your data, as well it includes statistical analyses.

This is a Method: a larger scale procedure. It usually involves multiple participants and sessions in order to complete. The procedure to complete generally remains the same between applications, but often contains smaller actions which can be rearranged or scaled to suit context and need.

Investment: medium cost, medium resources, high/external skill, high time

Outcomes

Visualization of your network structures
Use the visualization to evaluate, compare and measure networks over time examples include:
Identify key actors
Discern where there are weaker or stronger relationships relating to the social relationship you are exploring

When and Why Do I Use This

Purposeful engagement - identify and clarify who the actors are in your system and therefor who you need to engage with for your inquiry

Define situation: by gaining clarity on the actors involved in your system this helps to signal the set of perspectives informing and influencing and the kind of role they play relating to the challenge you are

exploring

Relationships: this method surfaces and visualizes relationships in a system which are often otherwise invisible

Social Network Analysis