ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a basic overview of social network analysis, intended as an introduction for readers who may have a passing familiarity with network concepts and are considering adding a social network perspective to their research. It addresses definitions and assumptions, with a focus on several research design issues. Included are various decision points relating to data collection: ego vs. whole network data, binary vs valued data, perceived vs. “actual” data; single vs. multiple networks, and boundary specification. An overview of network theories of social capital and social influence is also provided, with references to more detailed expositions. It is meant as a prelude to the chapters that follow in this volume
