This course will provide students with practical training in social media network analysis using two software packages: the VOSON System (a web-based application for hyperlink network construction and analysis) and NodeXL (a free Excel 2007/2010 template for social network analysis). The main focus will be on quantitative analysis of Internet trace data from websites, blogsites, Twitter and Facebook. While there will be a lot of emphasis on network analysis (e.g. WWW hyperlink networks, friend/follower networks in Twitter, buddy networks in Facebook), text analysis will also be covered. There will also be an introduction to using Virtual Worlds (e.g. Second Life and Massively Multiplayer Online Games) for social research.
Course notes will be provided, including selected chapters from D. Hansen, B. Shneiderman and M. Smith (eds), Analyzing Social Media Networks with NodeXL: Insights from a connected world. Morgan-Kaufmann.
Participants are advised to have taken the ACSPRI course Introduction to Social Network Research and Network Analysis or an equivalent Social Network Analysis course.
The course assumes participants have good familiarity with using computers, in particular web applications.
See http://voson.anu.edu.au for information on the VOSON System and http://nodexl.codeplex.com for information on NodeXL.
