Social Network Research

Long, Janet C; Bishop, Simon

Abstract

Analysis of networks is increasingly seen as important for understanding the patterns, processes and consequences of social relationships in healthcare. Networks can be formal, mandated structures (e.g., a clinical network), can emerge from sharing a common passion, or from routine exchanges such as referrals. Braithwaite and colleagues call for the fostering of naturally emerging networks suggesting these underpin the delivery of healthcare and play an important role in driving quality and safety.

Social network analysis (SNA) emphasizes patterns of relationships and interactions between network members (actors) rather than individual attributes/behaviours or abstract social structures. SNA conceptualizes networks as composed of nodes (the actors in the group) and ties (the relationship between the actors). Ties form the structure of the network and the nodes occupy positions within that structure. This proves a basis to investigate a wide range of issues, including communication pathways between actors (including gaps, bottlenecks or opportunities to increase connectivity), the presence of “tribes” or silos, key players, networks of social support, and patterns of social influences on behaviours. This also allows researchers to investigate relationships between network structures (e.g., communication flows) and important outcomes (e.g., rapid dissemination of ideas).

In this chapter, we will introduce readers to key debates, concepts, methods and applications of SNA, drawing on the authors’ own studies and the growing body of healthcare literature adopting this approach. This demonstrates the contribution of SNA to understanding different types of networks, including at the individual, group and organizational level.

Citation

Long, J. C., & Bishop, S. (2017). Social Network Research. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Handbook of research methods in health social sciences (1-16). Singapore: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2779-6_110-1

• Acceptance Date: Nov 25, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Dec 18, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 18, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jan 7, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 19, 2019
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 1-16
• Book Title: Handbook of research methods in health social sciences
• ISBN: 9789811027796
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2779-6_110-1
• Keywords: Interprofessional relationships; collaboration; connectivity; brokerage; knowledge exchange
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1447986
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-981-10-2779-6_110-1
• Related Public URLs: https://www.springer.com/gb/book/9789811052507
• Additional Information: Received: 16 November 2017, 00:00:00; Accepted: 25 November 2017, 00:00:00; First Online: 18 December 2017