Draw Me a Network! by James Cook

Professor Cook

2013-12-17 00:52:59 UTC

Here's as example to help get you started. Chuck and Sam and Fred are the nodes in this network, and each has known the other since they were in Mrs. Peabody's 3rd-grade class together. This is a 1.5 ego network; you see, I know Sam and he told me about his pals Chuck and Fred and how Chuck and Fred know each other too. I guess that makes Sam the ego of the network! Click on the thumbnail to see my file in detail.

Capricorn

2014-01-20 19:02:39 UTC

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Good job, Capricorn! Yes, this is a 1.5 level ego network, and students who are looking for an example of one should take a look at Cap's sociogram. -- Prof. Cook

Gliese

2014-01-21 15:56:26 UTC

This is a 1.5 level ego network based on relationships.
Alison is the ego and is friends with John, Sarah, Megan, Cody, and Steve.
Because John and Sarah are dating and Megan and Cody are dating this becomes a
1.5 level ego network because the alters are also tied by a relationship.

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Way to go ,Gilese! You've got it! Nicely done (you've literally put stars in my eyes).

The only piece of critical feedback I'd offer is that the word "relationships" is a bit vague. There are all kinds of "relationships" between people out there -- work relationships, neighboring relationships, and so on. I think you mean romantic relationships, right? -- Prof. Cook

Capella

2014-01-21 16:16:08 UTC

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Capella, thanks for contributing. The network you depict is a 1.5 level ego network. If the tie is defined as a "family relation," and if ego is "parent," then a 1.0 level ego network would not include the tie between the node "daughter" and node "son," because "daughter" and "son" are alters, and 1.0 level ego networks do not include ties between alters.

That picture at the bottom is really neat -- your daughter put a lot of time into it. It's almost, but not quite, a social network. What's present are a lot of nodes who mean a lot to your daughter. What's missing? The ties! If she included the ties, what would this network look like?

Best, Prof. Cook

Columba

2014-01-22 19:27:53 UTC

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Columba, thanks for posting this example. Please try to write more than a single sentence to explain your work in the future, especially since I invite you to. Express yourself fully: "1.5" I assume to mean the sentence "This is a 1.5 level ego network," but I can't be sure. It's never a good idea to leave anything to the assumptions of your professors. Look again at the instructions and see what the various questions are I'd like you to consider. There's a lot more for you to talk about -- so jump back in! Consider adding something more to your own post.

If this is meant to be a 1.5 level ego network, who is the ego? That matters... although it looks like no matter who the ego is, this must be a level 2.0 ego network. Can you figure out why? -- Best, Prof. Cook

Orion

2014-01-23 00:39:56 UTC

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Orion, thanks for sending in this network! You almost have it, but not quite. If "Billy the baseball player" is your ego, then then 1.5 level ego network surrounding Billy should consist only of Billy, Billy's alters, and the ties between all of them. Mike, the basketball player, is not an alter of Billy. Therefore Mike should not be included in a 1.5 level ego network.

Best, Prof. Cook

2014-01-24 04:23:43 UTC

Spica

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Spica, thanks for sending in this contribution. You have indeed created a 1.5 level ego network, with ties reflecting out from K and also existing between Ks alters. But what are your nodes? What is the relationship represented in a tie? Are these ties of blood? Affection? Resentment? E-mail correspondence? Be sure to be thorough in answering the questions associated with the participation assignment. -- Best, Prof. Cook

Cygnus, my immediate family

2014-01-24 17:26:31 UTC

This is a graph of my immediate family. The circles are actors or nodes(people) and the arrows are ties or relationships(family) (and not to be confused with and event or relation).

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Boundary specification! I love that! Yes, you've drawn a boundary that defines who is inside and who is outside your network, and within your boundary you have a complete network, I agree. Well done! -- Prof. Cook

Indus, Close Friends

2014-01-24 18:59:34 UTC

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Well done, Indus! This is indeed a 1.5 level ego network, and it looks like you have a fairly tight friendship network around you. Best, Prof. Cook

Carina

2014-01-24 19:18:16 UTC

I attempted to create a 2.0 level ego network. The black middle dot is the ego. Pretend this is a drug supplier. The orange dots are nodes one distance from the ego. Pretend these are the drug dealers. The purple dots are nodes two distances from the ego. These are the drug users. So let's take a look at this. The two dealers on the top left for example. They have one user that they both sell to. They then each have their own two individual users seperate from each other. These two dealers know each other. However, if we look at the two dealers on the right, they both have a tie to the drug supplier, but they do not actually know each other. They have two users each that they sell to but their users do not know each other either.

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Hah! This is a great example of a 2.0 level ego network -- and an inventive choice of tie! Good work. -- Prof. Cook

Polaris

2014-01-24 21:52:44 UTC

I hope I did this right. I created the 1.5 level ego network using a little league coach giving information to parents. Some parents are tied to one another.

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Polaris, thanks for the contribution. Those are some happy but red-faced little league parents there. Someone remind them about sunscreen! The form of the 1.5 level ego network is correct, with ego's ties to alters and alters' ties to one another included. But I'm not clear on one point: when you describe the relationship of the tie -- "giving information" -- does that mean that some parents (the ones who are tied to one another) are giving one another information? What information are they giving to one another that the coach isn't already giving them, since they're all getting information from the coach? -- Best, Prof. Cook

Pheni

2014-01-25 02:27:04 UTC

The social network graph I designed is a 2.0 ego network that shows ties between myself and the people other people in my life that correspond through email. I used member of my family and a few of my close friends as nods for this graph and then also included people that my first level of connection correspond with through email that I do not correspond with. An example that I used was my mother who I email, then to go a level further I included coworkers that she is connected to, but I am not.

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Pheni, you're very, very close to a perfect 2.0 level ego network. Remember:

Level 1.0 = Ego, Alter, and Ties from Ego to Alter

Level 1.5 = Level 1.0, plus Ties Between Alters

Level 2.0 = Level 1.5, plus Alters' Alters and ties to Alters' Alters from Ego's Alters

By including one more tie, that between Amy Coworker and Deb Coworker, you move to Level 2.5, which is Level 2.0 plus ties between Alters' Alters. That tie doesn't belong in a Level 2.0 ego network. Otherwise, good work!

-- Best, Prof. Cook

Pisces

2014-01-25 20:25:09 UTC

This is my network that explains a couple of different things for me. It represents some relationships I have with others. It also describes who my fiance has invited to our wedding that I don't know. Best of all, it describes how my Patriots loving fiance is a mere 4 ties from knowing TOM BRADY!! He thinks this is possibly the best thing ever. He is pushing to meet the other node that can bring him to 3 ties away. Now down to business. In my depiction, the circle is the ego (Me), the triangles are the nodes that are one tie from the ego. The squares are nodes that are two ties from the ego. As you can see, some of them are connected. The lovely asterisk is three ties from the ego.
This is a 2.0 level ego network. I'm not sure if the connections in the two tie level would make it something like a 2.5 level or even a 3.0 level with Tom Brady thrown into the mix but I couldn't leave him out.
The relationships are all pretty well explained. Some are family, some friends, and some co-workers.
Hope this makes sense to someone other than me!

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Hi, Pisces, and thanks for sharing your network. I think it's great that you found some examples of social ties that are exciting and important to you to talk about in the context of this class -- that's a great way to approach learning.

Two aspects of your network that create a problem:

1. You describe many different kinds of relationships that could possibly qualify as a tie in your network -- but typically a single social network only contains ONE kind of tie in it.

2. You name your network a 2.0 level ego network, but that would mean that you should only step out to a network distance of 2 from ego; in other words, your path length from ego should never be longer than 2 ties to any other node in the network. (That's why it's called a 2.0 level ego network) But you head out much farther than that. Your misgivings about having possibly created a much bigger network than a simple 2.0 level ego network are founded. If you "have to" include Tom Brady, don't you have to include everyone else that's at a network distance of 3 or 4, in order to be complete and unbiased in your network?

- Best, Prof. Cook

2014-01-25 21:10:45 UTC

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Fornax, thanks for posting this. I'm looking for a bit more detail -- see the questions under the heading "Draw Me a Network!" Most notably, what kind of relationship is represented in a tie in this network? Your answer isn't clear -- in some ties, the relationship seems to be familial, but in other ties the relationship seems to be one of acquaintance. Also note that when you've chosen to represent your ego network, you've done so at the 1.5 level. Best, Prof. Cook

2014-01-25 21:51:38 UTC

From Aquarius

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Hi, Aquarius. You seem to be having a bit of trouble with posting -- perhaps you'd like to send me an e-mail with the information?

Best, Prof. Cook

Serene

2014-01-25 22:24:50 UTC

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Serene, thanks for the network graph! One of the enjoyments of this padlet is seeing all the different choices people make when representing networks. Your level 1.5 ego network looks good except for one issue -- some of the ties here are between family members and some between friends. It's not clear (although not impossible -- are the sisters also friends?) that sisterhood and friendship are the same relation. -- Prof. Cook

Aurora

2014-01-25 23:48:43 UTC

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Thanks for the contribution, Aurora! This is an accurate representation of a level 1.5 ego network, with ego, alters, and the ties between all of them represented in a simple but thorough network graph. Good work so far!

A problem arises, though: as with other networks posted to the Padlet this week, it looks like you've made a tie represent many different kinds of relationships -- napping, being in a family with, being neighbors, being romantically involved with. The issue this creates is that when we look at any one tie in the network graph, we don't know what the tie refers to. For this reason, most network graphs either stick to one kind of a relation or find some other way to visualize the different kind of relations. The second option is one we'll get to later in the semester. Best, Prof. Cook

2014-01-25 23:48:54 UTC

Scorpious

2014-01-26 00:39:01 UTC

Just to be clear the nodes are the colored circles and whom they represent. The tie is the information actually being sent via phone in this case. Putting it on paper helps me understand why gossip travels so darn fast. I think I got carried away with my lines, but indeed family members talk way too much.

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Thanks, Scorpius! Those sure are a lot of ties, and it looks as though there is a lot of talk over the phone in your family, although in the sad case of a death in the family this is pretty understandable.

A few features of the structure of your network that are worth comment:

1) I notice that "parents" (plural!) are represented as a single node. Do the parents in this case really function as a single communication unit, always communicating over the phone together?

2) Although the text of your contribution says that parents speak over the phone to their son and daughter, who in turn communicate over the phone to grandchildren, I notice that according to the network graph "the parents" seem on occasion to speak to some of the grandchildren.

3) If I'm looking at the network graph correctly, I notice that many of the ties point in both directions (with arrowheads pointing both ways), but that some do not. What does this mean? It would be interesting to know!

4) You refer to a "2.0 Degree" network (careful about that word "degree" -- it means something different in network analysis, as we'll find out next week) and to "ego," so I think you mean to construct a level 2.0 ego network. But if I'm tracing out the ties correctly, I think you're not only doing A) connections from ego to ego's alters, B) connections between ego's alters, and C) connections from ego's alters to their own separate alters, but also adding in D) connections between alters' alters. Step D goes one step beyond level 2.0 -- which is why your network may look so busy! -- Prof. Cook

Alcyone/ Network

2014-01-26 03:02:15 UTC

I, Alcyone in the center have ties to Jaimie, Curtis, Kadon and aidric. Kadon and Aidric are my sons. Jaimie is my best friend. Curtis is my friend. Jaimie and Curtis are married.

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Thanks for the network, Alcyone -- this is a good start. I'd like some more detail (see the questions above): for instance, what kind of network is this: a complete network, an ego network, or some other kind? What is the definition of the network that leads you to include some individuals as nodes but not others? There are a lot of different kinds of relationships -- parenting, friendship, marriage -- visualized as ties. What is it in common that makes these relationships count as the same kind of tie? -- Prof. Cook

Aquila

2014-01-26 03:59:38 UTC

Is this even visible??

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Aquila, yes, it's visible! :) I can see everything (I also see you uploaded the network again... so I deleted that copy just for clarity's sake.

This is a very simple but also very clear network. I like the color coding. Is Pat a friend of yours? If so, then there should be a tie between you and Pat. If on the other hand Pat is NOT a friend of yours (not an "alter" in network language), then Pat should not be included in a level 1.5 ego network. -- Best, Prof. Cook

-What if he is an alter because of the dynamic of the ego network (people I live with) but I don't consider all of them to be friends. Does that still work?

Phoeni

2014-01-26 14:38:53 UTC

I reconstructed the previous 2.0 ego network graph that I posted a few days ago. I started with myself as the center of the correspondence and used friends and family I communicate with and also included people they communicate with and I do not. I used my mother, my sister, my uncle and my two friends Kelly and Julia. Kelly and Julia are connected to me, but not the other people that I communicate with. They also email each other and have a mutual friend they both email, but I do not. Kelly also emails her mom, but her mom does not email any other people in this network.

The other people I directly email also email each other. in this network my uncle emails a friend that has no other connection to this network and my mothers coworkers are all connected to each other, but not to me. my uncle's wife is connected to my grandfather and my uncle, but not to me.

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Looks great! Thanks. -- Prof. Cook

Regulus

2014-01-26 18:18:30 UTC

This was my attempt at making a 2.0 ego network. The relation here is family. The ties are what I would call "direct communication," as in face-to-face interaction.

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Regulus, thanks for the contribution. This is indeed a level 2.0 ego network if R is as the center (that's you, Regulus?). See Prell p.9, where the relation of a network is described as the defining characteristic of the ties in that network. You seem to describe two sets of relations, though: 1) being part of a family and 2) direct face-to-face communication. Is the relation of this network actually "direct face-to-face communication within my family?" If so, what do you mean by family? Is this a nuclear family? An extended family (and if so, extended along what lines)? There appear to be two subgroups who are only connected through you. What does this imply about your family? Some things to think about. -- Best, Prof. Cook.

2014-01-26 20:27:54 UTC

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Note -- this is an entirely anonymous creation. Since there's no name on it, I can't give anyone credit for it. There's also no discussion to answer any of the questions listed above this Padlet. -- Prof. Cook

Leo

2014-01-26 20:32:30 UTC

In this 2.0 ego network Phil (P) is the ego and he is the manager of the mailroom. His assistant manager is Sarah (S) and his shift leads are Donny (D) and Tammy (T). Donny leads Frank (F) and Rhonda (R) on the first shift. Tammy leads Eddy (E) on the second shift. Phil believes in a very hierarchical structure in his department. Any comments or complaints from the rest of the staff have to go through the chain of command.

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Leo, thanks for the contribution! This is indeed a level 2.0 ego network, and you spend a good amount of time describing each of the nodes. But what kind of relationship does a tie represent? One of leading or following? I notice that some of the ties have direction (indicated by arrowheads) but others don't. What does that mean? -- Best, Prof. Cook

centuarus

2014-01-26 21:30:37 UTC

This seems like a 2.0 graphing for sure. There are various levels and lengths of connections.

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Hi, Centaurus. I need more information: what do you mean by "seems"? Is this your graph or one produced by someone else? If by someone else, who, and where did you get it from? If not, how did you produce it? What are the nodes? What are the relationships represented in the ties? If it is an ego network, what level of a ego network is it for certain? You should be able to tell if you trace connections carefully enough. -- Prof. Cook

2014-01-26 21:50:46 UTC

From Volans:

This would be considered a 1.5 level ego network. It is similar to a 1.0 level ego network, the only difference is that this one has ego alter that are connected to one another. I am ego in the middle which is also the black node. I am friends with all of these people and some of them are friends with one another which make them (alters) have ties with each other. Cece and Colleen are close friends and I am friends with both of them. Brett, Amy, and I are all close friends. Amy and beth and I are all close friends also. Nick is beth's boyfriend and I am friends with both of them.

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Volans, You're absolutely right that this is a level 1.5 ego network, and you've clearly noted what the standard for a tie is: friendship. Good work. - Prof. Cook

Asterope

2014-01-26 22:26:25 UTC

1.5 level

=== So I want to make sure that I am understanding this. If the nodes are the other team members and the relationship that the captain shares between the two team members is stronger than that of her other team members, there is not directional arrow between the three of them. All the nodes are connected because each one plays field hockey but some have relationships outside of field hockey.

Asterope, thanks for making a contribution! I see that this is a field hockey network, and so the boundary of the network is team membership -- that makes sense. Based on the text you wrote to accompany this image, I'm guessing (because you didn't make yourself explicit) that "knowing" or "hanging out with" is the essence of the relationship that makes for a tie. That's at odds, though, with your choice to draw ties as directional (having arrowheads). Is it possible for Person A to know Person B on a sports team with Person B NOT knowing Person A? "Hanging out with" surely isn't directional -- if A is hanging out with B, there's no way for B to not hang out with A. Also, who are the nodes? Adding some labels for all nodes would help you talk about the network in more detail. Best, Prof. Cook

Lacerta

2014-01-26 22:47:43 UTC

This is a 1.5 Level Ego Network. This graph depicts the relationship between me and my pets, and the comradery among my pets . Basically it's who gets along with who. The boundary established for this network is the animals that I live with, my pets.

At the center is the ego or core, me, and the alters represent my dogs (gray), my chicken (yellow), and my cats (purple). From the center, you can see that there is a reciprocated fondness between me and all of the animals except for Rose, I love her but she is not very nice and bites, so that fondness is not reciprocated by her.

Moving to the nodes at network distance 1, it shows the reciprocated friendships of Clark and Elliot, Charlie and Clark, and Iris and Rhea. Finally there is the unreciprocated fondness of Iris by Charlie, Charlie likes to try and play with Iris, and Iris does not like that.

This may have not been the most appropriate example, but I like to try and apply these ideas to my most immediate surroundings, which often happens to be my pets.

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Aaah! Keep Rose away from Elliot! :)

I like this example, and think it's entirely appropriate. Fondness makes for a directional tie, so your inclusion of ties with arrowheads makes sense. You've nicely included reference to network distance and boundary specification. Good job! -- Prof. Cook

BAS

brooke_stevens — 2014-01-27 03:01:37 UTC

Below is a network of coworkers that I would see each week during this past semester. Some I worked with, others I would only interact with during shift changes/meetings/resolving schedule conflicts. This is intended to be a 1.5 level ego network, where I am the ego. The ties stand for a friendship developed through work. I drew ties among Jenna, Sam, Mariah and myself because we would all consider each other friends seeing as we now hangout all the time. Adam doesn't come off as the nicest guy, but I broke through his shell with a sassy comeback and we get beers after work now. Bridget and Jake work a long shift together so they got to know each other pretty well. I never once worked with Marc but during shift changes and times when he would complain about his work schedule I cannot recall ever developing any type of acquaintance with him. Nor did anyone else, sorry Marc.

Columba

2014-01-27 03:15:06 UTC

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Nice improvement and well done here, Columba! -- Prof. Cook

Libra

2014-01-27 04:02:45 UTC

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Thanks for the contribution, Libra. This isn't quite a 1.5 level ego network, because you have an extra person added in who isn't one of Jennifer's alters. Adding that extra person in at a network distance of 2 from Jennifer makes this a 2.0 level ego network. -- Best, Prof. Cook