A User’s Guide to Social Network Analysis in Public Health Douglas Luke, Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Social network analysis is a powerful tool for describing and modeling complex social systems, and has recently become more widely utilized in the health and social sciences. In public health, for example, network analysis has been used to characterize and understand disease transmission, social support and social capital, the diffusion of innovations, and the structure of public health systems such as state-level tobacco control programs. This workshop will take a hands-on approach to introducing network analysis concepts and methods. After an overview of the history of network analysis, and a quick tour of famous social networks, participants will learn how to design a network study, collect network data, describe and analyze social networks, and visualize complex networks. Specific networks topics include network size, density, cohesion, centrality, roles, blockmodeling, and network dynamics. Throughout the workshop participants will use professional network analysis software to analyze real-world network data. Participants will receive a CD and binder containing network software, data, and resources. Dr. Douglas Luke is Director of the Division of Biostatistics at Saint Louis University School of Public Health. He also directs the Center for Tobacco Policy Research, where he has conducted a number of recent studies and evaluations of public health organizations using network analysis methodology. He and his colleague, Jenine Harris, recently authored Network Analysis in Public Health: History, Methods and Applications for the Annual Review of Public Health.