(1985). Levine's Atlas of Corporate Interlocks. Connections ... - INSNA

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Elinor KELLY (Extra-mural Studies, Manchester) and J . Clyde MITCHELL (Nuffield,
Oxford) . "Formal Analyses of Data from a Study of Homeless Families in Manchester" .
Dr . Kelly described the method of collecting data relating to the social links of a
set of homeless families in Manchester in respect of five different aspects of social
relationships : frequency of contact, self-defined closeness, extent of convivial links,
extent of emotional and given or received, and practical aid given or received . Dr .
Mitchell then illustrated the analysis of samples of these families using programs
available in Oxford . These included graph theoretical procedures and block-modelling
procedures . Computer drawn diagrams were used to illustrate the analyses .
M . EVERETT (Math, Thames Poly) . "The Use of Cycle-tracing Algorithms to Determine
the Structure of Homeless Families" (as used in previous paper) .
By previous arrangement the data analysed by different procedures was reanalysed
using a program written by the speaker to determine the structure of the networks using
cycle-tracing procedures . This enabled the audience to compare the results obtained by
different procedures on the same set of data .
Conclusions
The workshop at Nuffield College was a beginning in an educational process which will
need to continue for some time before its original aims can be achieved viz the
dissemination of knowledge about and the facilities for network analysis in Britain .
There seemed little doubt that those who attended the workshop found it very worthwhile
since many had not been exposed to the way in which network analysis may be used in the
analysis of empirical data, nor what new work was proceeding in the field .
Unfortunately the programme turned out to be overloaded so that there was
insufficient time for questions and discussion . However it was decided that continuing
i nterest. i n the field might best be ensured by constituting a Social Networks Section to
the British Sociological Association so that a register of interested persons could be
established and regular meetings arranged . To this end a notice was placed in the B .S .A .
newsletter to discover how much general interest there is in the proposal . Dr . John Scott
of the Dept of Sociology, University of Leicester has agreed to be convenor of the Section
if it is established . A data base of those interested in this development has been
established, including information on interests and current research .
(This paper reprinted with permission from SOFTWARE Bulletin with minor
changes .)
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