***** To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org ***** -----Messaggio originale----- Da: Social Networks Discussion Forum per conto di Kenneth Chung Inviato: gio 07/06/2007 3.35 A: [log in to unmask] Cc: Oggetto: Measure of Ego Tie Strength ***** To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org <http://www.insna.org/> ***** Dear colleagues, I am seeking ideas and suggestions on how one accounts for tie strength of an ego node, when you are studying over 100 ego nodes individually. In my study, relational data is collected from over 100 individuals, where each individual may elicit up to maximum 15 ties. The research model tests whether tie strength is associated with individual outcome, eg. attitude to performance. Tie strength in my study is measured by: - closeness (4 point scale from very close to distant) and - frequency of contact (5 point scale ranging from daily to less often), although data on other variables such as 'time known' and 'relationship type' is also available. When it comes to calculation of tie strength for an ego node, how does one account for it? To the best of my knowledge and from what I've read from literature, one may 1. use the average strength of ties for an ego (ie. sum the values of each tie from ego to alter and divide by count of ties). In this case, the values of each tie may be: (i) the average of closeness and frequency values, or (ii) the product of closeness and frequency values 2. using 1, but take only the average of the top 5 or top 7 ties to the ego. This allows for comparison using a common baseline. Other approaches have been to consider tie strength of a node in terms of network proportions (see Reagans, R., & McEvily, B. (2003). Network Structure and Knowledge Transfer: The Effects of Cohesion and Range. Administrative Science Quarterly, 48, 240-267.), however, I understand this only works for sociocentric networks and not for ego networks as in my study. I'd like to confirm whether my limited understanding is correct and welcome comments and suggestions from you all. Thank you, sincerely, Ken -- Kon Shing, Kenneth Chung PhD Candidate School of Information Technologies University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia P: +61 2 9351 5639 F: +61 2 9351 3838 W: http://www.it.usyd.edu.au/~ken _____________________________________________________________________ SOCNET is a service of INSNA, the professional association for social network researchers (http://www.insna.org <http://www.insna.org/> ). To unsubscribe, send an email message to [log in to unmask] containing the line UNSUBSCRIBE SOCNET in the body of the message. _____________________________________________________________________ SOCNET is a service of INSNA, the professional association for social network researchers (http://www.insna.org). To unsubscribe, send an email message to [log in to unmask] containing the line UNSUBSCRIBE SOCNET in the body of the message.