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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

This approach could be thought of as "Six Degrees of Separation" or the "Kevin Bacon Game" but these methods are much more precise and in some cases rely on sophisticated statistical skills.

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 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. 2365 Jaimi Dowdell, Hollywood, CAR Conference 2005 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 Arizona Project 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