SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS: AN INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION TO STEM EDUCATION RESEARCH (Invited Presentation)

Investigating relationships among actors is the basis of social network analysis (SNA). SNA is rooted in the conviction that social connections among people influence knowledge and behavior. An example of the influence of relationships on behavior is peer influence (i.e., peer pressure) and an example of the influence of relationships on knowledge is collective sensemaking around scientific phenomena. Other disciplines have used SNA to investigate diverse challenges to society (from the spread of obesity in communities to the ideal placement of inspection points along shipping routes). This presentation will introduce features of a network, explore methodological origins of SNA, and define common network metrics. Special attention will be given to the role of theoretical frameworks in SNA for conducting STEM education research. An extended example in STEM education instructional change research will be used to explore the various decisions that must be made to complete an investigation of faculty members’ social networks.