ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the characteristics of social networks and the principal facets of social networks. It then offers the basic techniques for analyzing social networks and several types of data that are used in social network analysis. The chapter provides some very basic information about the development and analysis of social network maps. The data employed in social network analysis consist of two types: nodes and links. All social network analysis begins with a data matrix that represents both the nodes of the network and the relationships, or links, among them. Social network analysis advances political science research by focusing on the structure and character of political relationships. Networks of donors to political campaigns often give to the same candidates, political action committees, or advocacy organizations. Activist foundations of the left and right contribute funds to advocacy groups that may, themselves, form activist networks.
