Understanding networks – Digital LiteraciesWeek 16 Co-Teaching- Kazim- Elmer- Sheraz- Sam

Understanding networks

Internet Transactional Network

Broadcast Network Service

An internet network (because of group interaction) has exponential value.

A broadcast network has additional value.

Theories: Sarnoff’s, Metcalfe’s, and Reed’s ‘laws’.

Reed’s Law David Patrick Reed describes the scale-

driven value shift in the development of the internet from a mainly transactional network to a more socially utilized network.

Reed gives the example of eBay being very successful because it allowed groups to be formed around specific interests.

Reed also explains how there is more value in collaboration rather than independently working.

Social Network Analysis SNA is about analysing Social Networks

through a series of methods. It measures and maps relationships

between people and what connections people have with groups, organisations etc.

Usually a visual analysis is formed describing human relationships and connections

Social Network Analysis ‘From the view of social network

analysis, the social environment can be expressed as patterns or regularities in relationships among interacting units.’

Stanley Wasserman and Katherine Faust(1994) Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications

Social Network Analysis

Social Network Analysis Social Network Analysis is now seen as a

key feature in modern Sociology. The use of lines and nodes make it easy to

distinguish relationships and patterns. You are more likely to get more employment

opportunities if you have a diverse network range

Being a bridge between networks allows you to meet new people and create new ties.

Social Network AnalysisKey stages in creating a SNA: Identifying the network of people to be

analysed Gathering background information Formulating hypothesis and questions Survey the individuals in network to

identify relationships Use a software mapping tool to display

results

Social Capital ‘Social capital refers to the institutions,

relationships, and norms that shape the quality and quantity of a society's social interactions.’

‘the capacity of an individual and of a group to get things done outside formal institutions’ (Rheingold, 2012. p.227)

‘Social capital is about the value of social networks, bonding similar people and bridging between diverse people, with norms of reciprocity’ (Dekker and Uslaner 2001); Uslaner 2001 ). Sander (2002, p. 213)

Bridging social capitals brings people

closer together, it gives people the ability to stay connect to people who they may have had previous association with through the use of social networks such as facebook.

Small Networks Properties of small world networks can

be translated in many ways• Road Maps• Brain Neurons• Voter Networks• Food Chains• And many more

Example of a small world network as a food chain

Small world networks The lion will eat the leopard, bears, and

vegetation (and seeds produced by the vegetation) (for digestion)

The leopard will eat (dead) lion, bear cubs, and vegetation (and seeds produced by the vegetation)

The bear would eat the vegetation (and seeds produced by the vegetation), lion and leopard.

The vegetation will use nourishment from all the animals poops for fertilizer and re grow and the seeds will also replant.

Translation into a graph Nodes – species Edges – link between the species of

plants and animals

NODE

NODE

NODE

NODE

EDGES

What it should look like!

References http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fq

s/article/view/55/113[2013, Jan 30] http://www.socialcapitalresearch.com/literature/

definition.html[2013, Jan 30] http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TO

PICS/EXTSOCIALDEVELOPMENT/EXTTSOCIALCAPITAL/0,,contentMDK:20185164~menuPK:418217~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:401015,00.html

[2013, Jan 30]