Social Network Analysis

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a methodological approach used to study the structure of social relationships within a network. It involves the examination of the patterns and dynamics of interactions between individuals, groups, organizations, or other entities represented as nodes and links in a graph. SNA seeks to understand how these connections influence behaviors, information flow, and overall social dynamics. The analysis usually employs quantitative metrics such as degree centrality, betweenness, and closeness to assess the importance of nodes and their relationships within the network. It can be applied in various fields, including sociology, psychology, business, and communication, to gain insights into social structures, collaboration, and the effects of networks on individual and collective behavior.