The next step in data analysis
IRE and NICAR members are beginning to explore the uses of social network analysis for visualizing and diagramming relationships between individuals and businesses and institutions.
This is a new approach for journalists, but other professions have utilized this approach for decades for a wide range of research projects such as analyzing:
- who has the most powerful connections in a community
- what ethnic group is disenfranchised in a community
- how terrorist cells or criminal groups operate
- interlocking board of directors of corporations
- international trade data
Among the users are business consultants, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, public health investigators, sociologists and anthropologists.
For resources on social network analysis (including software and research papers) and for how journalists are exploring uses for news stories, please refer to the links below.
Internet Resources
Stories on the Web
Tipsheets available from the IRE Resource Center
Stories available from the IRE Resource Center
Listserv info
Web Links
Introduction
to Social Network Methods
This free, on-line and downloadable textbook introduces many of
the basic ideas of social network analysis. It provides very brief
overviews of a number of major areas with some examples. This text
can also function as a basic introduction to UCINET software.
International
Network for Social Network Analysis
This page contains information about the International Network for
Social Network Analysis and related subjects. Here you will find
social networks information, reference sources and links to related
home pages. Founded in 1978, the International Network for Social
Network Analysis is a nonprofit, professional association for researchers
interested in social network analysis.
Terrorist
Network
Valdis Krebs published "Uncloaking Terrorist Networks," an analysis
of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist network in the April 2002 issue
of First Monday, a peer-reviewed Internet journal. This article
explains how Krebs was able to construct a visual representation
of the network as well as what this visualization can tell us about
the network that was previously unknown. Other papers Krebs has
authored, including information on InFlow software, can be found
at the researcher's Web site: www.orgnet.com
UCINET
(Analytictech) Web site
UCINET is a general program designed to facilitate the analysis
of social network data. This site includes information about UCINET
and other Analytictech software. A free evaluation version of UCINET
can be downloaded here: www.analytictech.com/downloaduc6.htm.
They Rule
They Rule is a Web site that allows you to create maps of the interlocking
directories of the top 100 companies in the United States in 2001.
The data is static, so it is fast becoming out of date, as companies
merge and disappear and directors shift boards. A new version of
this site is being developed.
Namebase.org
This site contains a database of books and clippings. Users can
search for names of individuals, groups and corporations. The search
finds books or clippings that cite the name searched. Also available
is an option to draw a social network diagram that includes individuals
mentioned on the same page as the name searched.
"Chains
of Affection: The Structure of Adolescent Romantic and Sexual Networks"
Article published July 2004 in the Journal of American Sociology
by Peter S. Bearman, Columbia University; James Moody, Ohio State
University; Katherine Stovel, University of Washington. "This
article describes the structure of the adolescent romantic and sexual
network in a population of over 800 adolescents residing in a midsize
town in the Midwestern United States. Precise images and measures
of network structure are derived from reports of relationships that
occurred over a period of 18 months between 1993 and 1995."
As part of his research, Moody created a
network movie, or flipbook, of the network described in the
article. More information on Moody's research can be found on his
home
page.
Stories on the Web
The Arizona Republic spent a year investigating a network of 22 charities with ties to a Phoenix televangelism ministry. Nearly all the charities are part of the Combined Federal Campaign, which is the largest workplace charity drive in the world. The series reveals how much donors may not know about the charities they give to, the fundraising drive that funnels money to the charities and the federal regulators who are supposed to be watching. Also included is an interactive graphic of the "connections and transactions of a network of charities with ties to the Phoenix-based Don Stewart Association."
Degrees of Hank Paulson
ProPublica provides a glimpse of the interconnectedness of Wall Street by examining how former U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson was connected to CEOs. "Many of the CEOs of companies touched by the financial crisis have links to him. Some, such as Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, have direct connections via that company, which Paulson used to head. Others connect through a network of fellow CEOs."
Power and influence in Austin
In the "State of neglect" series, The Dallas Morning News looks at how the state of Texas is taking care of the needy and vulnerable. Part of their investigation dissects the relationships and influence that helped pass House Bill 2292 which was signed into law in 2003. This legislation created a reorganization of the state's health and human services by allowing for privatization of many services. The series includes a detailed network graphic (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/graphics/0109/influence/) of the connections that helped make this bill a reality.
527
Committee Donors
In the 2004 presidential election "huge donations of a handful
of wealthy liberals named Linda Pritzker, Stephen L. Bing, Peter
B. Lewis and George Soros could determine the outcome. Together,
they have given more than $26 million to help finance the most extensive
get-out-the vote operation in history, the goal of which is to make
John F. Kerry president." These donations were made to 527
organizations. "Named after a section of the tax code, the
527 groups are doing much of the advertising and field work traditionally
left to party organizations." Included with this story is a
diagram
displaying contributions to Democratic 527s and a list
of the biggest donors to these groups.
Tipsheets
Search
for tipsheets in IRE's Resource Center.
To order tipsheets from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail
to rescntr@ire.org or call
us at 573-882-3364.
No. 2707 Jaimi Dowdell, Aaron Kessler, Ft. Worth, IRE Annual Conference 2006
Dowdell and Kessler explain what social network analysis is, what it can be used for, and also provide a number of examples of stories that used social network analysis. They also give reporters information about where to find more information on social network analysis and include Web sites that can aid those who are working on such projects.
No. 2597 Kaare Gotfredsen, Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2005
Using software for social network analysis the Danish magazine Danske Kommuner in cooperation with the DICAR and Paul Walmsley from IRE mapped out the connections and interactions between 271 Danish mayors. The resulting map of social networks shows how the mayors compete with and influence each other.
No. 2598 Tuomo Pietilainen, Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2005
The author documents each step of his investigation of Finnish spies. He used records and documents from Stasi to identify and connect the network of Finnish spies. In this tipsheet, he explains how the investigation began with lots of paper records and ended with a slick map of social networks.
This tipsheet gives a basic overview of social network analysis and highlights some stories that utilize it very effectively. Dowdell talks about everything reporters can do with social network analysis and suggests potential stories in several different beats that could benefit from social network analysis. Finally, she offers some resources to find public information that can be used to build network models.
No.
2364 Jaimi Dowdell, Hollywood, CAR Conference 2005
This tipsheet defines the basic terms associated with social network
analysis. Dowdell even included graphics to illustrate her explanations.
Some of the terms included are matrix, centrality, valued data,
etc. A good understanding of these definitions is essential to learning
how to use social network analysis.
No.
2053 Sarah Cohen, Atlanta, IRE Annual Conference 2004
In this tipsheet, Cohen discusses social network analysis as used
in the newsroom, in particular to analyze campaign contributions,
gang members and terrorists. Topics include social network analysis
basics, terrorist connections, drawing charts, UCINet, basic network
statistics, and campaign contributions.
No.
2012 Sarah Cohen, Cincinnati, CAR Conference 2004
Social Network analysis, while not new itself, is certainly a new
tool in the field of journalism. To help journalists become familiar
with how this powerful tool can be used, Cohen devised this tipsheet.
Two case studies are analyzed, one dealing with the terrorist network
associated with Sept. 11, and the other looking at campaign contributions.
A very helpful tipsheet, especially for those just getting started
in social network analysis.
No.
1989 Kaare Gotfredsen, Cincinnati, CAR Conference 2004
Gotfredsen offers this simple primer on the main ways social network
analysis programs are used for stories. He gives some easy pointers
and three basic measurements that can be used to create interesting
and informative stories.
No.
1988 Jaimi Dowdell, Cincinnati, CAR Conference 2004
One of the most daunting facets of social network analysis is easily
the sheer volume of buzzwords needed to understand the programs
involved. To help journalists reach that end, Dowdell compiled this
cheat sheet for some of the most pervasive ideas involved in the
process. This sheet is also a great way of introducing some of the
more complex concepts Social Network Analysis includes.
No.
1987 Jaimi Dowdell, Cincinnati, CAR Conference 2004
Dowdell offers a smattering of ideas for how social network analysis
can be put to work in newsrooms of any size. From story ideas to
document sources, this tipsheet has a little bit of everything to
help reporters get on the right track.
No.
1768 Sarah Cohen, Charlotte, CAR Conference 2003
Social network analysis can be used to examine terrorist networks,
gang activity, and business patterns. Now, reporters are trying
to use it as the next step in the evolution of CAR. Details, some
examples, and resources are included in this tipsheet.
No.
1769 Brant Houston, Charlotte, CAR Conference 2003
This excerpt from Appendix D of Computer Assisted Reporting: A Practical
Guide, discusses social network analysis and how it can be used
by reporters. Experts on the subject are quoted, examples used,
and diagrams help the reader along.
No.
1831 Paul Walmsley, Charlotte, CAR Conference 2003
Walmsley gives a basic introduction to social network analysis and
a few of its possible uses.
Stories
Search
for more stories in Ire's Resource Center.
To order stories from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail to
rescntr@ire.org or call us
at 573-882-3364.
No.
21453 The Kansas City Star
In 2004, The Kansas City Star used social network analysis
software to visualize U.S. government allegations that the Islamic
African Relief Agency (IARA) in Columbia, Mo., helped finance bin
Laden and other terrorists. Federal agents seized the charity's
office in October 2004. The story includes a graphic depicting the
connections between IARA and other designated terrorists. Some points
include: at least eight connections between IARA and Osama bin Laden,
his organizations or the Taliban; two connections to Hamas, the
Palestinian terrorist organization whose suicide bombings ravaged
life in Israel; connections to three other groups that long have
been designated as terrorist organizations by federal authorities.
The piece also contains a graphic
of IARA funding worldwide in an attempt to track the money.
No.
21357 The Washington Post
This two day series published in May 2004 looks at the campaign
fundraising practices of Pres. George W. Bush's main contributors.
The groups, called the "Bush Pioneers" and "Bush Rangers," have
found ways to bypass contribution limits to come up with a record
amount (296.3 million) of campaign funding for the 2000 election.
According to the report, the Pioneers "have evolved from an initial
group of family, friends, and associates willing to bet on putting
another Bush in the White House into an extraordinarily organized
and disciplined machine." In exchange for their generosity, some
contributors now hold several positions in the White House.
No.
20463 The Washington Post
The Washington Post used social network analysis in early
2003 to report on a group of language schools in the Los Angeles
area that appeared to be "visa mills" for foreign students. In "INS
Moves to Plug Visa Leaks," Post reporters looked into schools
that bore little resemblance to real institutions of higher learning.
Of a dozen schools visited by the reporters, none had more than
a handful of students, and one had no teachers and no staff save
for a receptionist.
The Phoenix 40: Formed in 1975, the "Phoenix 40" was an organization of influential Phoenix businessmen who professed to be working for greater good of the community. They represented the top executives from the realms of media, finance and industry. These documents explore thier spheres of influence:
Phoenix 40: Part 1.pdf
Phoenix 40: Part 2.pdf
Phoenix 40: Part 3.pdf
Phoenix 40: Part 4.pdf
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