Pub Date : 2024-01-01Epub Date: 2024-08-27DOI: 10.21307/connections-2019.042
Britt Skaathun, Alera Dermody, Karla D Wagner
Background: Some social network research (SNR) relies on individuals reporting information about network members, with network members not providing consent. We assess how substance-using sexual minorities at risk for HIV perceive the benefits and risks of SNR and the preferred processes for obtaining informed consent.
Methods: We conducted 20 qualitative interviews with adults who identified as people of color, were cisgender male and had sex with cisgender men, and reported using substances (<12 months) in San Diego, CA, USA. Participants were asked about perceived risks and benefits of SNR related to HIV, with differing levels of network information being collected. Participants compared the risks of SNR to risks in daily life and were asked about their preferred consent format. Interviews were recorded via zoom, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis.
Results: Participants were Latinx (84%), Black (10%), and 1 Filipino (5%), the median age was 31 years, and 25% of them reported previous research experience. Most viewed SNR favorably and less risky than daily life. Participants preferred study designs where network members are also recruited, as their consent was viewed as "community consent." Participants also felt that community benefits of HIV-related SNR research outweigh the risks. Opinions were mixed about providing identifying information in the context of reporting substance use. A combination of a video using "lay-language" visuals and a written consent format was preferred.
Conclusion: Perceived benefits of SNR to HIV prevention and care outweighed the risks, with concerns about providing last names. Researchers should assess whether the collection of last names is warranted.
{"title":"Ethical Issues in HIV-related Social Network Research Involving Substance-Using Sexual Minorities at Risk for HIV.","authors":"Britt Skaathun, Alera Dermody, Karla D Wagner","doi":"10.21307/connections-2019.042","DOIUrl":"10.21307/connections-2019.042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Some social network research (SNR) relies on individuals reporting information about network members, with network members not providing consent. We assess how substance-using sexual minorities at risk for HIV perceive the benefits and risks of SNR and the preferred processes for obtaining informed consent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted 20 qualitative interviews with adults who identified as people of color, were cisgender male and had sex with cisgender men, and reported using substances (<12 months) in San Diego, CA, USA. Participants were asked about perceived risks and benefits of SNR related to HIV, with differing levels of network information being collected. Participants compared the risks of SNR to risks in daily life and were asked about their preferred consent format. Interviews were recorded via zoom, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants were Latinx (84%), Black (10%), and 1 Filipino (5%), the median age was 31 years, and 25% of them reported previous research experience. Most viewed SNR favorably and less risky than daily life. Participants preferred study designs where network members are also recruited, as their consent was viewed as \"community consent.\" Participants also felt that community benefits of HIV-related SNR research outweigh the risks. Opinions were mixed about providing identifying information in the context of reporting substance use. A combination of a video using \"lay-language\" visuals and a written consent format was preferred.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Perceived benefits of SNR to HIV prevention and care outweighed the risks, with concerns about providing last names. Researchers should assess whether the collection of last names is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":88856,"journal":{"name":"Connections (Toronto, Ont.)","volume":"44 1","pages":"236-245"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12826593/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146055425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.2478/connections-2022-0003
Z. Neal
Abstract The fields of social network analysis and network science have recently undertaken efforts to address issues of gender diversity and representation. However, despite these important efforts, subtle threats to representation are likely to persist. I use a 2023 global survey of 260 network researchers to show that men rate themselves as having more expertise with networks than women. This is troubling because, to the extent that women believe they lack the expertise to be considered for awards or collaboration opportunities, it can impede other efforts to diversify the field. I conclude by discussing some possible explanations for this finding and some possible strategies for addressing its consequences.
{"title":"Men Think they Know More about Networks","authors":"Z. Neal","doi":"10.2478/connections-2022-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/connections-2022-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The fields of social network analysis and network science have recently undertaken efforts to address issues of gender diversity and representation. However, despite these important efforts, subtle threats to representation are likely to persist. I use a 2023 global survey of 260 network researchers to show that men rate themselves as having more expertise with networks than women. This is troubling because, to the extent that women believe they lack the expertise to be considered for awards or collaboration opportunities, it can impede other efforts to diversify the field. I conclude by discussing some possible explanations for this finding and some possible strategies for addressing its consequences.","PeriodicalId":88856,"journal":{"name":"Connections (Toronto, Ont.)","volume":"43 1","pages":"50 - 54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45852092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.2478/connections-2022-0002
F. Ruiz, W. Olsen
Abstract Satisfaction with any aspect of life is not easy to defined, and sometimes, it is still a topic of discussion. That is especially relevant for more excluded populations like older people. This research looked into how relevant the social support networks (SSNs) of older people are for their satisfaction with retirement, specifically in the Chilean context. It will identify some sufficient and necessary conditions for older people to be satisfied with retirement. This research focuses on 30 life histories of older people in Santiago, Chile. They were asked about their histories and SSNs. The analysis applied used a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) with conditions from the Social Network Analysis (SNA). The results identify sufficient and necessary conditions to achieve satisfaction with retirement. It is highlighted some of the dimensions of SSNs and their reciprocities as relevant conditions for satisfaction with retirement.
{"title":"Satisfaction with Retirement: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis with Social Network Analysis","authors":"F. Ruiz, W. Olsen","doi":"10.2478/connections-2022-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/connections-2022-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Satisfaction with any aspect of life is not easy to defined, and sometimes, it is still a topic of discussion. That is especially relevant for more excluded populations like older people. This research looked into how relevant the social support networks (SSNs) of older people are for their satisfaction with retirement, specifically in the Chilean context. It will identify some sufficient and necessary conditions for older people to be satisfied with retirement. This research focuses on 30 life histories of older people in Santiago, Chile. They were asked about their histories and SSNs. The analysis applied used a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) with conditions from the Social Network Analysis (SNA). The results identify sufficient and necessary conditions to achieve satisfaction with retirement. It is highlighted some of the dimensions of SSNs and their reciprocities as relevant conditions for satisfaction with retirement.","PeriodicalId":88856,"journal":{"name":"Connections (Toronto, Ont.)","volume":"43 1","pages":"1 - 25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43675065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.2478/connections-2022-0001
Guillaume P. Fernandez
Abstract Variationist studies have shown the implication of tie properties in the emergence and preservation of linguistic norms. This contribution deepens the understanding of this mechanism at the dyadic level. It explores relational subjectivity and relativity among individuals of a community and their implications in the distribution of lexical variants. The aim is to understand how the reciprocity of a relation influences the share of lexical practices. To do so, we analyze the network of discussions of bachelor's degree students of the University of Geneva and their lexical practices. Using the modern methods used in social network analysis to study relational properties and by running multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure (MRQAP), reciprocal interactions are found to lead to a higher lexical share and similarity.
{"title":"On the Effect of Reciprocal Dyadic Relations on the Share of Lexical Practices","authors":"Guillaume P. Fernandez","doi":"10.2478/connections-2022-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/connections-2022-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Variationist studies have shown the implication of tie properties in the emergence and preservation of linguistic norms. This contribution deepens the understanding of this mechanism at the dyadic level. It explores relational subjectivity and relativity among individuals of a community and their implications in the distribution of lexical variants. The aim is to understand how the reciprocity of a relation influences the share of lexical practices. To do so, we analyze the network of discussions of bachelor's degree students of the University of Geneva and their lexical practices. Using the modern methods used in social network analysis to study relational properties and by running multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure (MRQAP), reciprocal interactions are found to lead to a higher lexical share and similarity.","PeriodicalId":88856,"journal":{"name":"Connections (Toronto, Ont.)","volume":"43 1","pages":"26 - 49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44634632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.2478/connections-2019.025
G. Gauthier, Jeffrey A. Smith, Sela R. Harcey, Kelly L. Markowski
Abstract Isolation and cohesion are two key network features, often used to predict outcomes like mental health and deviance. More cohesive settings tend to have better outcomes, while isolates tend to fare worse than their more integrated peers. A common assumption of past work is that the effect of cohesion is universal, so that all actors get the same benefits of being in a socially cohesive environment. Here, we suggest that the effect of cohesion is universal only for specific types of outcomes. For other outcomes, experiencing the benefits of cohesion depends on an individual’s position in the network, such as whether or not an individual has any social ties. Network processes thus operate at both the individual and contextual level, and we employ hierarchical linear models to analyze these jointly to arrive at a full picture of how networks matter. We explore these ideas using the case of adolescents in schools (using Add Health data), focusing on the effect of isolation and cohesion on two outcomes, school attachment and academic engagement. We find that cohesion has a uniform effect in the case of engagement but not attachment. Only non-isolates experience stronger feelings of attachment as cohesion increases, while all students, both isolates and non-isolates, are more strongly engaged in high cohesion settings. Overall, the results show the importance of taking a systematic, multi-level approach, with important implications for studies of health and deviance.
{"title":"Isolation, cohesion and contingent network effects: the case of school attachment and engagement","authors":"G. Gauthier, Jeffrey A. Smith, Sela R. Harcey, Kelly L. Markowski","doi":"10.2478/connections-2019.025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/connections-2019.025","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Isolation and cohesion are two key network features, often used to predict outcomes like mental health and deviance. More cohesive settings tend to have better outcomes, while isolates tend to fare worse than their more integrated peers. A common assumption of past work is that the effect of cohesion is universal, so that all actors get the same benefits of being in a socially cohesive environment. Here, we suggest that the effect of cohesion is universal only for specific types of outcomes. For other outcomes, experiencing the benefits of cohesion depends on an individual’s position in the network, such as whether or not an individual has any social ties. Network processes thus operate at both the individual and contextual level, and we employ hierarchical linear models to analyze these jointly to arrive at a full picture of how networks matter. We explore these ideas using the case of adolescents in schools (using Add Health data), focusing on the effect of isolation and cohesion on two outcomes, school attachment and academic engagement. We find that cohesion has a uniform effect in the case of engagement but not attachment. Only non-isolates experience stronger feelings of attachment as cohesion increases, while all students, both isolates and non-isolates, are more strongly engaged in high cohesion settings. Overall, the results show the importance of taking a systematic, multi-level approach, with important implications for studies of health and deviance.","PeriodicalId":88856,"journal":{"name":"Connections (Toronto, Ont.)","volume":"42 1","pages":"31 - 45"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47524536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.2478/connections-2019.026
Z. Neal
Abstract Political network data can often be challenging to collect and clean for analysis. This article demonstrates how the incidentally and backbone packages for R can be used together to construct networks among legislators in the US Congress. These networks can be customized to focus on a specific chamber (Senate or House of Representatives), session (2003 to present), legislation type (bills and resolutions), and policy area (32 topics). Four detailed examples with replicable code are presented to illustrate the types of networks and types of insights that can be obtained using these tools.
{"title":"Constructing legislative networks in R using incidentally and backbone","authors":"Z. Neal","doi":"10.2478/connections-2019.026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/connections-2019.026","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Political network data can often be challenging to collect and clean for analysis. This article demonstrates how the incidentally and backbone packages for R can be used together to construct networks among legislators in the US Congress. These networks can be customized to focus on a specific chamber (Senate or House of Representatives), session (2003 to present), legislation type (bills and resolutions), and policy area (32 topics). Four detailed examples with replicable code are presented to illustrate the types of networks and types of insights that can be obtained using these tools.","PeriodicalId":88856,"journal":{"name":"Connections (Toronto, Ont.)","volume":"42 1","pages":"1 - 9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49313498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.2478/connections-2019.024
E. Bellotti, Nicholas Lord, C. Elizondo, Joshua R. Melville, Steve Mckellar
Abstract This brief article illustrates the features of ScriptNet, a software package that facilitates a visual analysis of the organisational aspects of criminal enterprise, together with a visual analysis of the network of people, organisations, places and resources that are in some way involved in the commissioning of these goal-oriented crimes. ScriptNet is an amalgamation of the terms ‘script’ and ‘network’ that in turn represent two analytical approaches to understanding criminal and social behaviours. Script refers to crime script analysis, an analytical technique that organises knowledge about the procedural aspects and procedural requirements of the crime commission process. Network derives from social network analysis, and specifically from the framework of multi-mode and multi-link networks, which maps individual and collective actors, together with resources they can access and places where they are located, and the various types of relationships that may link them. In this article we illustrate the functions and features of ScriptNet using data provided by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). We discuss the innovative aspects of ScriptNet and we identify its limits. In its current format, ScriptNet has been developed as proof of concept. The code is open source, and we welcome people to collaborate and implement new and improved functions.
{"title":"ScriptNet: An integrated criminological-network analysis tool","authors":"E. Bellotti, Nicholas Lord, C. Elizondo, Joshua R. Melville, Steve Mckellar","doi":"10.2478/connections-2019.024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/connections-2019.024","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This brief article illustrates the features of ScriptNet, a software package that facilitates a visual analysis of the organisational aspects of criminal enterprise, together with a visual analysis of the network of people, organisations, places and resources that are in some way involved in the commissioning of these goal-oriented crimes. ScriptNet is an amalgamation of the terms ‘script’ and ‘network’ that in turn represent two analytical approaches to understanding criminal and social behaviours. Script refers to crime script analysis, an analytical technique that organises knowledge about the procedural aspects and procedural requirements of the crime commission process. Network derives from social network analysis, and specifically from the framework of multi-mode and multi-link networks, which maps individual and collective actors, together with resources they can access and places where they are located, and the various types of relationships that may link them. In this article we illustrate the functions and features of ScriptNet using data provided by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). We discuss the innovative aspects of ScriptNet and we identify its limits. In its current format, ScriptNet has been developed as proof of concept. The code is open source, and we welcome people to collaborate and implement new and improved functions.","PeriodicalId":88856,"journal":{"name":"Connections (Toronto, Ont.)","volume":"42 1","pages":"16 - 30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46568811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-03DOI: 10.4324/9781003233800-17
B. Risby, Joan E. Franklin
{"title":"Career Education","authors":"B. Risby, Joan E. Franklin","doi":"10.4324/9781003233800-17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003233800-17","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":88856,"journal":{"name":"Connections (Toronto, Ont.)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41696599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}