Evaluating the Evolution of Social Networks: A Ten-Year Longitudinal Analysis of an Agricultural, Fishing and Forestry Occupational Health Research Center.

Melissa B Scribani,Anne M Gadomski,Pamela J Tinc,Julie A Sorensen,Nancy H Tallman,Erika E Scott

doi:10.3390/ijerph182412889

Melissa B Scribani, Anne M Gadomski + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182412889

Copy DOI

Abstract

As part of our evaluation of the NIOSH-funded Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (NEC), we present methodology, findings and the potential implications of a sequential social network analysis (SNA) conducted over ten years. Assessing the effectiveness of the center’s scientific projects was our overarching evaluation goal. The evaluation design employed SNA to (a) look at changes to the center’s network over time by visualizing relationships between center collaborators annually, (b) document collaborative ties and (c) identify particularly strong or weak areas of the network. Transdisciplinary social network criteria were applied to the SNA to examine the collaboration between center personnel, their partners and the industry groups they serve. SNA participants’ perspectives on the utility of the SNA were also summarized to assess their interest in ongoing SNA measures. Annual installments of the SNA (2011–2020) showed an expansion of the network with a 30% increase in membership from baseline, as well as an increase in total relational ties (any type of contact). SNA measures also indicated significant increases in co-publication, cross-sector and transdisciplinary ties. Overall, SNA is an effective tool in visualizing and sustaining an occupational safety and health research and outreach network. Its utility is limited by how ties are characterized, grant cycle timeframes and how SNA metrics relate to productivity.

Highlights

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
Over the 10-year period, 180 individuals were represented on at least one NEC roster, with 15 (8.3%) appearing on every single roster yearly. Those 15 individuals included NEC administration, researchers, and outreach core members; their persistence in the social network analysis (SNA) over time reflects the stability of the NEC
Based on feedback from roster members, the survey itself was not considered burenumerating collaborative ties and characterizing how the network met transdisciplinary densome to complete on an annual basis

Summary

Introduction

Prior studies have used social network analysis (SNA) to measure collaborative ties among researchers in order to understand the dynamics and characteristics of research productivity [1]. SNA allows visualization and quantitative measures of networks, positions of intramural and extramural partners, their interconnectedness, and collaborative ties. These ties are characterized in different ways depending on the evaluative purpose of the SNA. Collaboration outcomes were measured by examining six types of products: published articles, in-progress manuscripts, grant applications, tools, research projects and presentations. Using density as one measure of collaboration, the most cohesive networking was located within research projects, followed by presentations and in-progress manuscripts [2]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion