Social Network Analysis
History, Theory and Methodology
- Christina Prell - University of Groningen - RuG, Netherlands
This engaging book represents these interdependencies' positive and negative consequences, their multiple effects and the ways in which a local occurrence in one part of the world can directly affect the rest. Then it demonstrates precisely how these interactions and relationships form.
This is a book for the social network novice learning how to study, think about and analyse social networks; the intermediate user, not yet familiar with some of the newer developments in the field; and the teacher looking for a range of exercises, as well as an up-to-date historical account of the field.
It is divided into three clear sections:
1. historical & Background Concepts
2. Levels of Analysis
3. Advances, Extensions and Conclusions
The book provides a full overview of the field - historical origins, common theoretical perspectives and frameworks; traditional and current analytical procedures and fundamental mathematical equations needed to get a foothold in the field.
This book fills an important void in the social network literature by bringing together theory, methodology and history. Its practical and readable style gives clear guidance on how to do social network research and will be invaluable to anyone undertaking a network study
Martin Everett
Chair of Social Network Analysis, Manchester University
Christina Prell has produced an excellent and well-crafted introduction to methods of social network analysis. She has succeeded in the difficult task of setting out a clear and accessible statement of core ideas together with a judicious overview of the most advanced recent developments. Her discussion concludes with an introduction to basic software for network analysis that will be much valued by all who are new to the area. The book will become an essential guide to the field for newcomers and seasoned users alike
John Scott
Professor of Sociology, Plymouth University
Christina Prell's excellent introduction to social network analysis will be appreciated by social scientists coming to these new approaches for the first time. Fundamental methods are described clearly and succinctly, the advice on how to develop a network-based research study is comprehensive and practical, and the introduction to statistical methods will prepare readers keen to follow more advanced paths. It is pleasing to see a text that includes a proper history of the field. This book provides a very accessible guide for readers who want to learn how to do real network research in the social sciences
Garry Robins
Associate Professor and Reader Psychological Science, University of Melbourne
Interest in social networks comes from all quarters and from persons with varying levels of preparation for understanding the complexities of social network analysis. Prell's Social Network Analysis: History, Theory, and Methodology is admirably suited for newcomers to the field, introducing the basics of social network analysis in a gentle style replete with understandable examples. Newcomers (and their instructors) will also appreciate the ease with which they acquire facility with UCINET, a widely used social analysis software package, by working through the examples
John Skvoretz
Professor of Sociology at the University of South Florida
"I would heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in getting acquainted with SNA. Its pragmatic point of view--with recurring hints on how to perform different kinds of analysis using UCINET, a popular software tool for SNA--makes this book especially suitable for practitioners."
This book by Christina Prell more than adequately fulfils a promise to meet the needs of those coming to the field for the first time, the intermediate researcher looking to develop skills in the field and for teachers seeking a comprehensive account that will help inform their students.[...] It offers a straightforwardly clear and practical ‘how to’ together with introductions to the favoured computer software applications – always a valuable insight to the neophyte. Indeed if I were to seek a ‘foothold’ in SNA this is where I would start.
The book is a highly recommendable introduction to the field, remarkable for its clarity, accessibility and completeness, with ambitions to fast-forward its readers from beginners’ level up to the point where they can at least appreciate, though perhaps not yet use, advanced models.
Social networks are taking a central stage in every aspect of today’s globalizing lives. This interconnected world demands a better understanding of networks and their structures. As a consequence plethora of books were written. This recent book sheds light on the history, theory and methodology of social network analysis. It is not only a timely contribution but it also contains fundamental knowledge about various aspects of social network analysis. It begins by introducing the history of the method. In the second part it concentrates on different levels of analyses including actor level, dyad and triad levels, cohesive subgroup level and network level. In every chapter measuring the relevant level and features are given in relation to the relevant literature as well as mathematical calculations. Moreover, it also explains how to use the measurements meaningfully and operationalize them in UCINET and NetDraw. Next chapter (9) deals with positional and role analyses. Subsequently, last part is devoted to both statistical models for advanced students and a very short concluding remarks. It is definitely worth reading and can be used for teaching easily. It is easy to read and follow the author.
This is an accessible yet competent introduction to SNA. I will use it in an introductory undergraduate course to research methods. The first chapters describing the broad outlines of the method will make for recommended readings.
I have recommended this to students studying research methods as well as dissertation students undertaking network analysis as part of their projects. It is a user friendly guide, which avoids the unnecessary complexity of rival texts and inspires confidence in those considering this as an approach in their work.
The level at which the subject matter is treated is not appropriate for my graduate and advanced undergraduate Social Network Analysis courses.
A very nice book that is long needed to teach Social Network Analysis. Many earlier textbooks were either too technical or too shallow. This book is structured nicely and built up in a way so that it can be used efficiently for a course.
I was hoping the book was moving a little further towards using SNA i organisational analysis. Though the book is a nice read, it doesnt provide a better text book, than the SNA by John Scott. I am still in a search for a good text book that takes the ONS approach rather than SNA.
