Network Analysis

Description

Network analysis shifts the research focus from individuals to their connections and so brings both theoretical and methodological innovations. Interest in network analysis has EXPLODED especially recently, due to new advances in statistical modeling and the rapid growth of network data. This course covers the major methods for collecting and analyzing network data. Selected topics include basic network analysis (study designs, data collection, network plots, and various measures at node, dyad, group, and network levels), the exponential random graph model for modeling network formation that can account for receiver effects, sender effects, and endogenous tie formation processes such as homophily, transitivity, and preferential attachment, dynamic network models including the temporal exponential random graph model for modeling network dynamics and the stochastic actor‐oriented model for modeling the co-evolution of networks and behaviors that helps to separate peer selection from peer influence, and social network-based interventions (types of network interventions and methods to choose strategic nodes and groups from social networks). Materials (lecture slides, lab code, and recordings) for optional topics on causal network analysis and meta network analysis may also be acquired for self-study. Examples and code will be provided. Knowledge of R and logistic regression is required.

Agenda (Request syllabus)

Day 1: Basic Network Analysis (Study designs, data collection, network plots, and various measures)

Day 2: Exponential Random Graph Model (Theories, specification, estimation, and diagnostics)

Day 3: Dynamic Network Analysis and Social Network-Based Interventions

Optional Topics: Causal Network Analysis and Meta Network Analysis

Instructor

Dr. Weihua An is Associate Professor (tenured) of Sociology & Quantitative Theory and Methods and associated faculty of the East Asian Studies Program, the Goizueta Business School, and the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. He received a Ph.D. in Sociology and an A.M. in Statistics from Harvard University and was a doctoral fellow and a postdoc fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. His research advances theories and methods for network analysis and causal inference with applications to studying inequality and social policy (e.g., immigration, housing, education, and redistributive policy), health (e.g., peer effects, networked interventions, perceived risk, and pandemic preparedness), and organizations. He has published widely in both methodological and substantive journals and has also authored multiple statistical software including "fglsnet", "LARF", and "keyplayer" in R and "DIDMatch" in Stata, which have received over 141K downloads in total. He has served or is serving on the editorial boards of American Sociological Review, Journal of Machine Learning Research, Social Psychology Quarterly, Social Science Research, Sociological Methodology, and Sociological Methods and Research and has edited several special issues at top journals. He is a recipient of the Faculty Teaching Award from Emory Sociology and has advised over 20 dissertations and multiple honors theses. He is an instructor for the NIH-funded program “Training in Advanced Data Analytics and Computational Sciences” at Emory and also has extensive experience in leading methods training programs for researchers and working professionals. Dr. An has studied social network analysis for over 16 years and has published many related papers. 

Class Time

On-demand. Lecture and lab materials and recordings are available to view at your convenience.