Social Network Analysis for Analyzing Groups as Complex Systems

ABSTRACT

The introduction and application of social network analysis, a method seen as superior to experimental or single-system research design for showing group change, examined group dynamics and change over time using a hypothetical example of an Internet group for gays and lesbians. Rather than utilizing traditional definitions of independent and dependent variables, the analysis utilized hypothetical data with nodes or individuals, ties, and the relationships they formed. The recently developed computer program NodeXL provided diagrams and statistics that demonstrated node and tie variation and individual and group development over time. Discussion demonstrated the utility of such diagrams for research and practice.     

Transcending Nations

While the literature on 'transnational advocacy networks' is beginning to unfold in different world regions, little attention has been given to cross-border organizing strategies that occur within borderlands as regions.In these spaces,networks can flourish through kinship, personal friendships, organizational coalitions, and official bodies. This article argues that cross-border organizing is a variant of 'local politics,' but that it presents far great obstacles than either transnational strategies or typical local politics due to multiple political institutions and ensuing complexity and accountability problems. At the US-Mexico border, other challenges emerge given economic poverty, limited civic capacity, and bi-national inequalities. This article provides a conceptual framework to compare cross-border organizing experiences with and without an institutional shroud that legitimizes activists'claims,exercises authority, and distributes resources.     

Maintaining the Gains: What Worked in the Year after Brief Family Therapy

Brief family therapy, including single session therapy, is widely used to provide a timely and responsive service for children with emotional and behavioural problems. However, there is surprisingly little information about how these children and families fare in the longer term. The brief family therapy program described here was directed toward children with problems of moderate severity. Child Behaviour Checklists (CBCL) were completed by parents before, three months after, and twelve months after therapy; 110 parents also participated in semi‐structured telephone interviews twelve months after therapy. Parents' CBCL ratings showed a significant decrease in children's problems after therapy, which were maintained over the subsequent year, although some children continued to experience difficulties. Parents generally found brief therapy a helpful experience. Ways to strengthen the preventive possibilities of brief therapy work will be identified at both a practical and conceptual level.     

Selection procedures based on normal and nonnormal variables with single and multiple characters

The performance of selection procedures using a single screening variable are assessed in the presence of nonnormality, in particular mixtures of bivariate normal distributions and the bivariate Edgeworth series distribution.

Screening with multiple characters in the normal situation is studied using principal components.     

The Shag‐Band Menace: Tracing the Spread of a Contemporary Legend

The internet enables analysts to better track rumors and contemporary legends through time and space. Comments about sex bracelets reveal waves of concentrated attention; the spread of particular variants display a similar pattern. The diffusion of such stories reflects constructions of childhood and adolescent sexuality as social problems.