Use of Social Network Analysis to Identify Popular Opinion Leaders for a Youth-Led Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122199490
Author(s):  
Katie M. Edwards ◽  
Victoria L. Banyard ◽  
Emily A. Waterman ◽  
Skyler L. Hopfauf ◽  
Hee-Sung Shin ◽  
...  

In the current article, we describe an innovative sexual violence (SV) prevention initiative that used social network analysis to identify youth and adult popular opinion leaders who were subsequently trained in best practices in SV prevention (e.g., bystander intervention) at a kickoff event (i.e., camp) of the initiative. We provide information on recruitment strategies, participation rates and how those rates varied by some demographic factors, reasons for nonattendance, the initial impact of the camp, and lessons learned. Despite challenges with youth and adult engagement, this innovative approach has the potential to transform the way we approach SV prevention among youth.

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 205630511984874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Recuero ◽  
Gabriela Zago ◽  
Felipe Soares

In this article, we discuss the roles users play in political conversations on Twitter. Our case study is based on data collected in three dates during the former Brazilian president Lula’s corruption trial. We used a combination of social network analysis metrics and social capital to identify the users’ roles during polarized discussions that took place in each of the dates analyzed. Our research identified four roles, each associated with different aspects of social capital and social network metrics: activists, news clippers, opinion leaders, and information influencers. These roles are particularly useful to understand how users’ actions on political conversations may influence the structure of information flows.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kar-Hai Chu ◽  
Sara Matheny ◽  
Alexa Furek ◽  
Jaime Sidani ◽  
Susan Radio ◽  
...  

Abstract Background After the US Surgeon General declared youth electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use an epidemic in 2018, the number of youth e-cigarette users continued to surge, growing from 3.8 million in 2018 to over 5 million 2019. Youth who use e-cigarettes are at a substantially higher risk of transitioning to traditional cigarettes, becoming regular cigarette smokers, and increasing their risk of developing tobacco-related cancer. A majority of youth are misinformed about e-cigarettes, often believing they are not harmful or contain no nicotine. Middle school students using e-cigarettes have been affected by its normalization leading to influence by their peers. However, social and group dynamics can be leveraged for a school-based peer-led intervention to identify and recruit student leaders to be anti-e-cigarette champions to prevent e-cigarette initiation. This study outlines a project to use social network analysis to identify student opinion-leaders in schools and train them to conduct anti-e-cigarette programming to their peers. Methods In the 2019–2020 academic school year, 6th grade students from nine schools in the Pittsburgh area were recruited. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with three arms—expert, elected peer-leader, and random peer-leader—for e-cigarette programming. Sixth grade students in each school completed a network survey that assessed the friendship networks in each class. Students also completed pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys about their intention-to-use, knowledge, and attitudes towards e-cigarettes. Within each peer-led arm, social network analysis was conducted to identify peer-nominated opinion leaders. An e-cigarette prevention program was administered by (1) an adult content-expert, (2) a peer-nominated opinion leader to assigned students, or (3) a peer-nominated opinion leader to random students. Discussion This study is the first to evaluate the feasibility of leveraging social network analysis to identify 6th grade opinion leaders to lead a school-based e-cigarette intervention. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04083469. Registered on September 10, 2019.


2021 ◽  
Vol 239 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-197
Author(s):  
Ignacio González ◽  
◽  
Alfonso Mateos ◽  

The Spanish Tax Agency is an experienced user of big data and has now deployed social network analysis (SNA) tools. SNA tools have led to a qualitative leap in such wide-ranging areas as tax collection, enforcement, control of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and money laundering. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the different lines of research, strategies and results of nine projects over the last five years, including the lessons learned. We present the best practices in pattern discovery, the tools developed for the control of big fortunes and the strategy developed to create a bridge between expert knowledge and SNA technologies. We highlight the results of investigating interposed entities used to channel personal remuneration, complex corporate structures, and opaque companies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (S2) ◽  
pp. 232-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Purington ◽  
Erica Stupp ◽  
Dora Welker ◽  
Jane Powers ◽  
Mousumi Banikya-Leaseburg

Abstract Introduction Expectant and parenting young people (young parents) need a range of supports but may have difficulty accessing existing resources. An optimally connected network of organizations can help young parents navigate access to available services. Community organizations participating in the Pathways to Success (Pathways) initiative sought to strengthen their network of support for young parents through social network analysis (SNA) undertaken within an action research framework. Method Evaluators and community partners utilized a survey and analysis tool to map and describe the local network of service providers offering resources to young parents. Respondents were asked to characterize their relationship with all other organizations in the network. Following survey analysis, all participants were invited to discuss and interpret the results and plan the next actions to improve the network on behalf of young parents. Results Scores described the diversity of organizations in the network, density of connections across the community, degree to which the network was centralized or decentralized, which organizations were central or outliers, frequency of contact, levels of collaboration, and levels of trust. Findings were interpreted with survey participants and used by Pathways staff for action planning to improve their network. Discussion SNA clarified complex relationships and set service providers on a path toward optimizing their network. The usefulness of SNA to impact and improve a network approach to supporting young parents is discussed, including lessons learned from this project.


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