Social network analysis as a means of exploring “users”

Abstract

At the 2003 ASIST Annual Conference, a panel called “Death of the User” suggested that the current state/paradigm of user studies is not sufficiently robust as a framework for studying the dynamics of information use. The panel put forth a few suggestions for future frameworks, among them, one in the Communications area that has been receiving some attention in information science lately: social network analysis. The intention of this panel is to (a) continue the dialog begun by the “Death of the User” panel, and to (b) shed light on this means of investigation and how it could be used to better understand how people seek and use information. This method is in contrast to “traditional” user studies in which individual users are usually studied divorced from their social context. Social Network Analysis places the information seeker within his or her social network and seeks to explain how the constraints and opportunities afforded by social networks affect information behavior in individuals' everyday and professional lives and the flow of communication and information within and across organizations. Panelists will provide insights on the strengths and limitations of using SNA to study human use of information. Most research in information science has taken an individualistic approach and people are seen as socially disembodied beings without roles in social Systems (Haythornthwaite & Wellman, 1998). However, people have different roles in their social networks and each role requires a different set of behaviors (Coser, 1975). In this study, different roles in the information network are identified based on social network analysis measures. Six measures of centrality are discussed and compared. Furthermore, the value of these social roles for information seeking is examined. Describes how users may be described in their relations with others, including creating profiles of user based on the kinds of information they give and receive from others, and the network of relations they deal with; examples from online learners, and from science research teams. This presentation will describe work with the homeless and information seeking, which most do via social networks that are sparse and unconnected. Using social network data and interviews conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, describes how information needs change during the life course and how these changes affect the characteristics of social networks.