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Comparing social network analysis and sociometry
A work in progress December 2005
Robert Hanneman says "Social network analysts practice "mathematical" sociology and "statistical or quantitative analysis," though the distinction between the two approaches is not clear-cut."
He goes on to say “Mathematical approaches to network analysis tend to treat the data as "deterministic." That is, they tend to regard the measured relationships and relationship strengths as accurately reflecting the "real" or "final" or "equilibrium" status of the network. Mathematical types also tend to assume that the observations are not a "sample" of some larger population of possible observations; rather, the observations are usually regarded as the population of interest.
Statistical analysts tend to regard the particular scores on relationship strengths as stochastic or probabilistic realizations of an underlying true tendency or probability distribution of relationship strengths. Statistical analysts also tend to think of a particular set of network data as a "sample" of a larger class or population of such networks or network elements -- and have a concern for the results of the current study would be reproduced in the "next" study of similar samples.” 1
Sociometrists explore, measure and display the informal networks of relationships. Mostly they work in situ, in the here and now with individuals and groups. Their intention is individual and group development through increased spontaneity where individual and groups find new solutions to an old or recurring situations, and adequate responses to new situations. Spontaneity includes the added dimensions of creativity and inventiveness to these responses.
By working directly with group members, and making the invisible networks of relationships visible, sociometrists provide group members with information on their inner group structure and work with group members’ inter-relationships as they respond. Essentially, the sociometrist facilitates the group to achieve its goals more effectively.
Sociometry and Social Network Analysis – terminology
Sociometry |
Social Network Analysis |
People, Participants, Group members |
Nodes, Egos, Actors, edges |
Groups, Organisations |
Alters |
Choices, Relationships |
Ties, Paths, degrees |
Choices made |
Degrees (out of) centrality |
Choices received |
Degrees (in of) centrality |
Sociometric star: the person most highly chosen in response to a criteria: positive star, negative star and star of neutrality |
Star, centrality |
Isolate – a person who does not choose and is not chosen |
Isolate - a person who has no links |
Mutuality, reciprocity: a relationship made where people choose one |
Symmetric link |
Non-mutual choice |
Asymmetric link |
Pivotal person |
?Liaison, bridge |
Sociogram |
Sociogram |
© Diana Jones
References:
1. Robert A. Hanneman (Department of Sociology, University of California, Riverside) and Mark Riddle (Department of Sociology, University of Northern Colorado)
http://faculty.ucr.edu/~hanneman/nettext/C1_Social_Network_Data.html#statistics
Diana Jones, The Organisation Development Company, ANZPA TEP Sociometrist www.sociometry.co.nz
Daniel Brass Social Networks in Organizations: Antecedents and Consequences dbrass@uky.edu
Hale, Ann E Conducting Clinical Sociometric Explorations, 1981
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