Graphic Techniques for Exploring Social Network Data

The present discussion will deal only with symmetric relationships where, given a connection from actor i to actor j, actor j is also connected to i in the same way.

Abstract

Social network analysts study the structural patterning of the ties that link social actors. For the most part, they seek to uncover two kinds of patterns: (1) those that reveal subsets of actors that are organized into cohesive social groups, and (2) those that reveal subsets of actors that occupy equivalent social positions, or roles.