Social network analysis (
SNA) is the process of investigating social structures through the use of
network and
graph theories. It characterizes networked structures in terms of
nodes (individual actors, people, or things within the network) and the
ties or
edges (relationships or interactions) that connect them. Examples of social structures commonly visualized through social network analysis include
social media networks,
friendship and acquaintance networks,
kinship,
disease transmission,and
sexual relationships. These networks are often visualized through
sociograms in which nodes are represented as points and ties are represented as lines.