Designing Empirical Social Networks Research

Jennifer M. Larson is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt University.

'This book delivers exactly what the title promises by providing clear, concise, step-by-step guidance for designing empirical social networks research. Larson introduces readers to the conceptual language necessary to theorize the role and nature of networks, and explains how to analyze networks empirically. The book will be an invaluable resource for social scientists interested in adding social networks research to their toolkit.' Imke Harbers, Associate Professor of Political Science, the University of Amsterdam

• 1. Introduction to social networks research; 2. Describing and interpreting social network features; 3. Accounting for substantive network features; 4. Crafting a network theory; 5. Moving from theory to Empirics; 6. Acquiring network data; 7. Preparing network data; 8. Working with network data in R; 9. Conclusion: where to turn next; Selected answers; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.