Network analysis

Subject description

Introduction, basic notions
Sources of network data
Types of networks, software for network analysis
Statistical analysis and models of networks, scale-free networks
Structure of networks: connectivities, partitions, components, cores, reductions, patterns, skeletons
Measures of centrality and importance, islands
Acyclic networks
Two-mode networks and network multiplication
Clustering in networks and blockmodeling
Applications: genealogies, internet, text analysis, bibliometrics, Markov chains,…

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

The goal of the course is to introduce the basic concepts and methods of network analysis, and to enable the students to perform analyses of network data by themselves.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, homeworks, project, consultations

Part of the pedagogical process will be carried out with the help of ICT technologies and the opportunities they offer.

Expected study results

Knowledge and understanding:

Understanding of basic concepts and methods of network analysis.
Ability to select the right methods for network analysis tasks and perform them using an appropriate software tool.
Ability to interpret the obtained results according to theoretical background; new views on the problem.

Ability to combine the network analysis with other data analysis methods.

Basic sources and literature

Batagelj, V, Doreian, P, Ferligoj, A, Kejžar, N: Understanding Large Temporal Networks and Spatial Networks: Exploration, Pattern Searching, Visualization and Network Evolution. Wiley, 2014.
de Nooy W., Mrvar A., Batagelj V.: Exploratory Social Network Analysis with Pajek. CUP, 2018 (3 edition).
Doreian P., Batagelj V., Ferligoj A.: Generalized Blockmodeling. CUP, 2005.
Doreian, P., Batagelj, V., Ferligoj, A. (Eds.): Advances in Network Clustering and Blockmodeling. Wiley, 2020.
Kogovšek T., Hlebec V.: Merjenje socialnih omrežij. Študentska založba, Ljubljana, 2006.
Scott J.: Social Network Analysis. London: Sage, 1991.
Wasserman S., Faust K.: Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. CUP, 1994.
Carrington P.J., Scott J., Wasserman S. (Eds.): Models and Methods in Social Network Analysis. CUP, 2005.
Kolaczyk E.D.: Statistical Analysis of Network Data: Methods and Models. Springer, Berlin 2009.
Brandes U., Erlebach T. (Eds.): Network Analysis: Methodological Foundations. LNCS, Springer, Berlin 2005.
Newman, M.E.J.: Networks, 2 edition. Oxford UP, 2018.
Barabási, A-L.: Network Science. Cambridge UP, 2016.
Estrada, E.: The Structure of Complex Networks: Theory and Applications. Oxford UP, 2016.
Easley D., Kleinberg J.: Networks, Crowds, and Markets. CUP, 2010.
Batagelj, V.: Social Network Analysis, Large-Scale. R.A. Meyers, ed., Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science, Springer 2009: 8245-8265.
Batagelj, V.: Complex Networks, Visualization of. R.A. Meyers, ed., Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science, Springer 2009: 1253-1268.