scholarly journals A scoping review on the current and potential use of social network analysis for evaluation purposes

Evaluation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Popelier
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Network Structures ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
Informal Relations ◽  
Potential Use

The pervasiveness and importance of relationships and networks has fueled the development of the social network analysis approach, which considers structural relationships to be primary causes of societal outcomes. While the potential of social network analysis has been demonstrated and discussed extensively in social science research, relatively little is known about the current and potential use of social network analysis for evaluation purposes. This scoping review of journal articles reveals that evaluators use social network analysis because of its ability to identify key stakeholders, assess network structures and relationships quantitatively, reveal informal relations and visualize even complex networks. However, challenges arise when interpreting findings, determining causation between network structures and outcomes and disseminating evaluation results in an ethically responsible manner. The review concludes that the evaluation field―especially in the development sector―would benefit greatly from increased use of social network analysis, but that this would first require improved use of alternative sources of network data, qualitative methods and inferential statistics that will enable evaluators to move beyond descriptive network analysis.

Social Network Analysis and Communities of Practice

2011 ◽  
pp. 474-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitris Asimakopoulos ◽  
Jie Yan
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Software Packages

Social network analysis (Scott, 2000; Wasserman & Faust, 1994) is a relatively new theory and methodology that has found wide application in social science research. In the early 2000s, an increasing number of scholars have been interested in computerized Social Network Analysis (SNA) and have adopted social network theory and techniques to study communities of practice (CoPs). In this article, the authors introduce SNA from a historical perspective, compare SNA with non-network theories and methods, and introduce popular SNA software packages. With reference to recent empirical research, the authors discuss several areas in which SNA has been applied to CoP research.

scholarly journals Social Network Analysis in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Scoping Review

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e41911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Chambers ◽  
Paul Wilson ◽  
Carl Thompson ◽  
Melissa Harden
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Healthcare Settings

INFORMATION EXCHANGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA EVANGELISTS DURING FLOOD: A SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (9-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdus-samad Temitope Olanrewaju ◽  
Rahayu Ahmad ◽  
Kamarul Faizal Hashim
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Network Structures ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Information Brokers

Information dissemination during disaster is very crucial, but inherits several complexities associated with the dynamic characteristics of the disaster. Social media evangelists (activists) play an important role in disseminating critical updates at on-site locations. However, there is limited understanding on the network structure formed and its evolution and the types of information shared. To address these questions, this study employs Social Network Analysis technique on a dataset containing 157 social media posts from an influential civilian fan page during Malaysia’s flood. The finding demonstrates three different network structures emerged during the flood period. The network structure evolves depending on the current state of the flood, the amount of information available and the need of information. Through content analysis, there were seven types of information exchanges discovered. These information exchanges evolved as the scale and magnitude of flood changes. In conclusion, this study shows the emergence of different network structures, density and identification of influential information brokers among civilians that use social media during disaster. Despite the low number of influential information brokers, they successfully manage their specific cluster in conveying information about the disaster and most importantly coordinating the rescue mission.

scholarly journals Basic Criteria, Models, and Indicators of Intersectoral Collaboration in Health Promotion: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Amir Esmaili ◽  
Behzad Damari ◽  
Ahmad Hajebi ◽  
Noora Rafiee ◽  
Reza Goudarzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Micro Level

Background: In this study, the basic criteria, models, and indicators of intersectoral collaboration in health promotion were investigated to facilitate the implementation of collaboration. Methods: This scoping review was conducted using datasets of Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, and search engines of Google, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. Results: 52 studies were included, and 32 codes in Micro, Meso, and Macro level, were obtained. Micro-level criteria had the highest frequency. Among the models used in the reviewed studies, social network analysis, Diagnosis of Sustainable Collaboration, Bergen, and logic models had the highest frequency. Among the indicators studied, the number of participants and the level of collaboration as well as its sustainability were the most frequent indicators. Conclusion: The findings identified the most important and widely used criteria, models, and indicators of intersectoral collaboration in health promotion which can be useful for decision-makers and planners in the domain of health promotion, in designing, implementing, and evaluating collaborative programs.

Filling structural holes? Guanxi-based facilitation of knowledge sharing within a destination network

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayuan Liu ◽  
Jianzhou Yan
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Network Structures ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Structural Holes ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis study examines the relationships between structural holes, guanxi and knowledge sharing among groups of stakeholders within a Chinese destination network.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted surveys, social network analysis and semi-structured interviews to gather data from the stakeholders of a popular Chinese tourist destination to test its hypotheses.FindingsKnowledge sharing within the destination network was impeded by structural holes but facilitated by guanxi. Furthermore, the impeding effect of structural holes on knowledge sharing is alleviated by guanxi.Originality/valueThis study illustrates the ways that stakeholders exploit structural holes and guanxi to promote knowledge sharing, and thus offers novel insights into how destination network structures affect the efficacy of stakeholders when it comes to sharing knowledge and promoting their destination.

scholarly journals Value of social network analysis for developing and evaluating complex healthcare interventions: a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e039681
Author(s):  
Linda C Smit ◽  
Jeroen Dikken ◽  
Marieke J Schuurmans ◽  
Niek J de Wit ◽  
Nienke Bleijenberg
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Complex Intervention ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Intervention Research ◽  
Healthcare Intervention ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Healthcare Interventions

ObjectivesMost complex healthcare interventions target a network of healthcare professionals. Social network analysis (SNA) is a powerful technique to study how social relationships within a network are established and evolve. We identified in which phases of complex healthcare intervention research SNA is used and the value of SNA for developing and evaluating complex healthcare interventions.MethodsA scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework. We included complex healthcare intervention studies using SNA to identify the study characteristics, level of complexity of the healthcare interventions, reported strengths and limitations, and reported implications of SNA. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews 2018 was used to guide the reporting.ResultsAmong 2466 identified studies, 40 studies were selected for analysis. At first, the results showed that SNA seems underused in evaluating complex intervention research. Second, SNA was not used in the development phase of the included studies. Third, the reported implications in the evaluation and implementation phase reflect the value of SNA in addressing the implementation and population complexity. Fourth, pathway complexity and contextual complexity of the included interventions were unclear or unable to access. Fifth, the use of a mixed methods approach was reported as a strength, as the combination and integration of a quantitative and qualitative method clearly establishes the results.ConclusionSNA is a widely applicable method that can be used in different phases of complex intervention research. SNA can be of value to disentangle and address the level of complexity of complex healthcare interventions. Furthermore, the routine use of SNA within a mixed method approach could yield actionable insights that would be useful in the transactional context of complex interventions.

scholarly journals The use of social network analysis in social support and care: a systematic scoping review protocol

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Fernández-Peña ◽  
María-Antonia Ovalle-Perandones ◽  
Pilar Marqués-Sánchez ◽  
Carmen Ortego-Maté ◽  
Nestor Serrano-Fuentes
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Scoping Reviews

Abstract Background In recent decades, the literature on Social Network Analysis and health has experienced a significant increase. Disease transmission, health behavior, organizational networks, social capital, and social support are among the different health areas where Social Network Analysis has been applied. The current epidemiological trend is characterized by a progressive increase in the population’s ageing and the incidence of long-term conditions. Thus, it seems relevant to highlight the importance of social support and care systems to guarantee the coverage of health and social needs within the context of acute illness, chronic disease, and disability for patients and their carers. Thus, the main aim is to identify, categorize, summarize, synthesize, and map existing knowledge, literature, and evidence about the use of Social Network Analysis to study social support and care in the context of illness and disability. Methods This scoping review will be conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework with adaptations from Levac et al. and Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodological guidance for conducting scoping reviews. We will search the following databases (from January 2000 onwards): PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, SCOPUS, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO, and DARE. Complementary searches will be conducted in selected relevant journals. Only articles related to social support or care in patients or caregivers in the context of acute illnesses, disabilities or long-term conditions will be considered eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers will screen all the citations, full-text articles, and abstract the data independently. A narrative synthesis will be provided with information presented in the main text and tables. Discussion The knowledge about the scientific evidence available in the literature, the methodological characteristics of the studies identified based on Social Network Analysis, and its main contributions will highlight the importance of health-related research's social and relational dimensions. These results will shed light on the importance of the structure and composition of social networks to provide social support and care and their impact on other health outcomes. It is anticipated that results may guide future research on network-based interventions that might be considered drivers to provide further knowledge in social support and care from a relational approach at the individual and community levels. Trial registration Open Science Framework https://osf.io/dqkb5.

scholarly journals A scoping review using social network analysis techniques to summarise the prevalance of methods used to acquire data for athlete survelliance in sport

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-197
Author(s):  
P. J. Watson ◽  
J. E. Fieldsend ◽  
V.H. Stiles
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Visual Resource ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract To aid the implementation of athlete surveillance systems relative to logistical circumstances, easy-to-access information that summarises the extent to which methods of acquiring data are used in practice to monitor athletes is required. In this scoping review, Social Network Analysis and Mining (SNAM) techniques were used to summarise and identify the most prevalent combinations of methods used to monitor athletes in research studying team, individual, field- and court-based sports (357 articles; SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, CINHAL, and WebOfScience; 2014-2018 inc.) . The most prevalent combination in team and field-based sports were HR and/or sRPE (internal) and GPS, whereas in individual and court-based sports, internal methods (e.g., HR and sRPE) were most prevalent. In court-based sports, where external methods were occasionally collected in combination with internal methods of acquiring data, the use of accelerometers or inertial measuring units (ACC/IMU) were most prevalent. Whilst individual and court-based sports are less researched, this SNAM-based summary reveals that court-based sports may lead the way in using ACC/IMU to monitor athletes. Questionnaires and self-reported methods of acquiring data are common in all categories of sport. This scoping review provides coaches, sport-scientists and researchers with a data-driven visual resource to aid the selection of methods of acquiring data from athletes in all categories of sport relative to logistical circumstances. A guide on how to practically implement a surveillance system based on the visual summaries provided herein, is also presented.

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