The other week, I attended the Network Analysis workshop. At first I thought this was a workshop on using social networking sites such as Facebook, but I was delightfully surprised when I learned that the course had deeper substance. Social network analysis helps us understand how the structure of groups influences their behavior.
Dr. Murphy and MIIS Students, Rob Schroeder, Yufei Wang, and Sarah Miller, hosted this workshop to raise awareness for Murphy’s course offering next semester called Introduction to Network Analysis. Examples of applications include understanding how information spreads through populations and in developing predictions in how to best destabilize a terrorist network.
Of the many programs available, this workshop highlighted a few, one of which is an open source program called ORA. ORA allows its users to work with multiple nodes which can be used to identify local patterns and compare and contrast networks from a meta-network perspective.
Further applications can be made in realizing patterns in organizational behavior, spread of contagious diseases, and diffusion of information. Those interested in taking advantage of this form of analysis should highly consider taking Dr. Murphy’s course next semester.