Using Social Network Analysis to Support Improvement Science Approaches in Education

Abstract

This chapter addresses the need for accelerated improvement within the field of education, while recognizing that improvement is a complex process given the current research-practice gap. In particular, I focus on prior research on the social networks through which research is distilled from researchers to practice, which shows support for non-traditional approaches to educational research. Drawing upon this research on traditional social networks in education, as well as research on social networks in non-traditional improvement science approaches, I argue that social network analysis can help us to understand and address the challenges of enacting and sustaining the successful implementation of partnerships through improvement science approaches. To more directly connect researchers to practitioners and, thus, research to practice, further social network analysis research on improvement science approaches may support educational stakeholders to address these challenges at scale.