Summary
This is an introduction to statistical analysis of networks. While no strict prerequisites are assumed, you might find it helpful to have some basic knowledge of social network analysis beforehand. To benefit fully from the course requires a basic knowledge of standard statistical methods, such regression analysis. The course aims to give a basic understanding of and working handle on drawing inference for structure and attributes, both cross-sectionally as well as longitudinally. A fundamental notion of the course will be how the structure of observed graphs relate to various forms of random graphs. This will be developed in the context of non-parametric approaches and elaborated to analysis of networks using exponential random graph models (ERGM) and stochastic actor-oriented models. The main focus will be on explaining structure but an outlook to explaining individual-level outcomes will be provided.
The participant will be provided with several hands-on exercises, applying the approaches to a suite of real world data sets. We will use the stand-alone graphical user interface package MPNet and R. In R we will learn how to use the packages ‘sna’, ‘statnet’, and ‘RSiena’. No familiarity with R is assumed but preparatory exercises will be provided ahead of the course.
Literature we will draw on includes:
Lusher, D., Koskinen, J., Robins, G., (2013). Exponential Random Graph Models for Social Networks: Theory, Methods and Applications, Cambridge University Press, NY.
Snijders, Tom A. B., Gerhard G. van de Bunt, and Christian E.G. Steglich. 2010. “Introduction to stochastic actor-based models for network dynamics.” Social Networks 32:44-60.
MPNet can be downloaded from MelNet
Course objectives
The course will:
Introduce how statistical evidence relates to social networks
Explain how to draw inference about key network mechanisms from observations
Provide hands-on training to use software to investigate
social network structure
tie-formation in cross-sectional data
tie-formation in longitudinal data
take into account network dependencies between individuals
Course timetable
Day one
Introduction to working with networks in R
Day two
Morning – Subgraphs and null distributions and ERGM rationale
Afternoon – ERGMs and dependence
Day three
Morning – ERGM: Issues and technicalities
Afternoon – SAOM: introduction to longitudinal modelling
Day four
Morning – SAOM: introduction to longitudinal modelling
Afternoon – Extensions and further issues
Day five
Morning – Influence, contagion, and outlook to further issues.
Timetable is subject to change.
Course tutors
The course will be taught by Dr Johan Koskinen
Booking
Booking is now open for the Summer School 2017.
To pay be credit card please visit our e-store
To pay by invoice (institutions only) please complete the booking form on the methods@manchester website and email a copy of a Purchase Order to methods@manchester.ac.uk
If you are based at the University of Manchester and your fee is being paid by your department please complete the booking form and contact us to arrange an internal journal transfer.
