Doing Social Network Research

Network-based Research Design for Social Scientists

Garry has produced a first rate book that explains in detail how to do social network research. He masterfully focuses on research design drawing on his years of experience conducting network research. This book fills a big gap in the literature and is a must have for all social network researchers.

This is a terrific book. It has a unique focus on social network research design, the critical interface between conceptual thinking and empirical research. It also has a wealth of detailed guidance on how to do network research, covering problem formulation, data collection, and data analysis, and is supported by interesting, diverse and appropriate examples. 

Robins has provided a comprehensive exposition of social network research that teems with insights which seamlessly alternate between theory and real-world, practical examples.  This book is a “must read” for anyone interested in conducting social network research and a “must have” for scholars who want to understand the distinctiveness of network research.  Robins’ thoughtful approach to network research will help improve the quality of future scientific investigations into the causes and consequences of social network processes across a wide range of applications.

I have been waiting a long time for a book that educates researchers on how to design network studies and how to gather network data, paying less attention to the methodology necessary to do the analysis. The book is finally here. Visualization, design, measurement, data structures, dealing with subjects — these are the topics here, topics that are usually given none or very little attention in standard network methodology books. It will be the first book mentioned on my network analysis course syllabi. And it should be on every network researcher’s bookshelf. Such a text has been a long time coming. And I am very glad it is now here. It does indeed pull back many curtains of the secret world of network science. Professor Robins is a wizard! 

Two categories of readers will find this book particularly interesting. First, those considering an investigation in connection with networks. They will find both a recent presentation of the area and support at each milestone to select the appropriate tools and literature. On the other hand, those who are interested to locate the specifics - both methodological and conceptual - of a research area that has undergone significant changes in recent years.

The strong point of Robins' work is above all to succeed in articulating analysis of networks and other theories from the social sciences, while referring to concrete and recent research. The book regularly takes the view of a "thoroughbred" network analyst and tries to encourage the reader to think "networks". If the book is aimed primarily at a novice researcher in network analysis, the sharpness of the last chapters will also appeal to the more experienced researcher. Written in a fluid style and rather straightforward, the book contrasts with the more neutral tone usually adopted in textbooks. In addition to the quality of the didactic system available to the reader (glossaries, examples, summaries and recommended readings at the end of the chapter)

Social network research is widely
applicable, data intensive, highly nuanced, not simplistic, ethics sensitive, and its
methods continue to evolve; all characteristics that make this book a must read by
those looking to conduct social network research, especially for their first time.