Social Network Analysis The following presents S

Social network analysis is a statistical method used to discover patterning within an individual's interactions with another. Social structure can be visible revealing a patterned interaction. Network analysis considers the importance of these patterns in the lives of individuals and the overall social network. The network approach to studying behavior includes a formal theory that is organized in mathematical terms and it is based on a systematic analysis of empirical data (International Network for Social Network Analysis [INSNA], 2004).

Social network analysis allows for empirical investigation and theoretical analysis as well as application of network techniques to organizational interventions (Nelson, 1988). This analysis is based on Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), which includes mathematical techniques that allow for the discovery of patterns. An example of MDS use is found in political science. MDSD can locate political candidates with a map showing spatial configurations to determine answers to questions such as "What identifiable features can we discern in the varying evaluations of the candidates that can help us understand what led individual citizens to their decision

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f this diagram is central in its application. The obtaining of geometric configuration points from proximities is a difficult procedure left up to statistical computational procedures that are done with a number of statistical packages. Coles (2001) pointed out another use of social network analysis: the investigation of criminal networks or organized crime. The author pointed out that to provide conclusive evidence to support the existence of national criminal networks, more than available data is needed - there must be a method to analyze this data. Social network analysis provides for this empirical analysis. Ayuku, Odero, Kaplan, De Bruyn, and De Vries (2003) demonstrated that social network analysis can be used for health and social interventions. This analysis was used to help street children in Kenya, where poverty, wars, famine, and disease are ramped. For this study, 300 street and orphanage children and 100 primary school children (control) were investigated. Data included structure counts (size, family, friendly relations, service providers, variety, access family, and access friends) and function means (affection, connection, stability, and material resources). Findings showed that the street children had ne
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