Network theory

With network research to employ numerous scientific disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, and computer science. Because of this interdisciplinary approach different problems are tackled so that different analysis and aggregation levels can be distinguished within the network research. The Historical network research focuses on the networking and interaction of historical persons.

Network research in computer science

In computer science, in particular, a portion of the graph theory is concerned with network theory ( English: Network theory ). There you will find applications in many disciplines such as biology, economics and sociology. In the network research graphs are analyzed as a representative of relationships between objects to be examined. Specifically, logistical problems are examined, the World Wide Web, protein -protein interactions, social networks, etc.

Network research in social networks

The network and social support research has its beginnings in the 1970s, since then can be put on a steady development of theory reference. Psychosocial counseling could develop through a specific resource and real-life orientation in addition to its own approach to psychotherapy. The promotional potential of social relations are handled by social network research, and social support research, empirically. The focus is on the integration capacity and protective functions of social networks for people to take. Social support is via social relationship systems in which can perceive promotional and regulatory, as well as controlling and conflictual dimensions. Social Support from the relationship system promotes stress management and thus helps to also get health and wellbeing and develop. Research shows that people who deal with the circumstances more successful if they have access to social support. About U.S. science research could be shown that social networks can act as a social immune system, it is the function of social support is described as a stress buffer. Given the international progress of social network and support research are useful concepts and conceptual models. The starting point of the research is the question of how social support can be encouraged where this is not developed. Objectives and benefits of the research lie in the areas of clinical psychology and community psychology action to develop new intervention strategies and concepts that can be connected to the practice of health sciences, social work and social pedagogy.

The levels of analysis ( micro, meso and macro levels ) provide information about whether an individual, an organization or relationships between organizations in the focus of attention are. The aggregation levels ( dyad, triad, group, etc. ) differentiate, however, like many actors, namely whether two or more or all actors of a network investigation.

Levels of analysis of network research

Within the network research three levels of analysis can be distinguished, the micro, meso and macro levels.

Micro-level At the micro level the individual is an actor within a network in the focus of attention. It examines individuals and their relationships with other people, for example, within a family or working groups. In the organizational network research, this level is referred to as intra- organizational elles network.

Meso level At the meso level ( organization elles network) organizations, businesses, government agencies or municipalities are included. The focus here is on the observation of groups as actors and not as at the micro level of individuals.

Macro level At the macro level it is about the relationships between organizations ( inter- organizational network elles ). Examples include strategic alliances, global society, federal-state relations and inter-state relations. Between levels, a mutual influence takes place. Influences of individuals and groups to organizations, however, are referred to as micro influences, from organizations to individuals as a macro influences.

Levels of aggregation of network research

In addition to distinguishing the level at which actors are studied, including different levels of aggregation can be considered, namely whether two or more or all actors of a network investigation. Actors can be individuals, groups and organizations.

Dyad The relationship between two actors is the focus of attention. It represents the basic unit of each network analysis

Triad The relationship between three actors is considered.

Egocentric network This includes all relations from the perspective of an actor. The focal actor is understood as ego, the other actors to which the focal actor has relations, referred to as ages.

Group Egocentric data from several actors are.

Overall network The research focuses on all relationships between a defined set of actors.

Scientific investigation perspectives of network research

In the network research two scientific investigation perspectives can be distinguished.

In the structural perspective, the focus of attention on patterns of relations lies. For example, behavior, attitudes, beliefs, and other outcome variables of the network form are attributed, ie on the position of an actor in his own network. Access to structural information obtained on questions such as " List the people who you ask for advice in your work ", that generate questions whose answers name (name generator ).

In the relational perspective of the emphasis shifts to the content of relationships (eg, friendship, kinship ). The relational information obtained generate about questions whose answers substantive findings, such as " How often do you talk to the people you mentioned " (name interpreters ).