The Application of Social Network Analysis in Educational Research:Historical Examination,Unique Role,and Development Trends
Social Network Analysis(SNA)originated in the 1930s and has gained increasing attention since its introduction into the field of education in the early 21st century.SNA's unique feature lies in its approach,starting from specific social relationships and adopting a systematic perspective to understand relational activities in education,which is not featured in traditional educational research methods.SNA studies education from the perspective of"social capital"rather than"human capital,"which enables scholars to analyze and understand educational activities through a lens that is closer to the reality of education.SNA has introduced a set of unique conceptual propositions and analytical frameworks for educational research,opening a new window for the field.Focusing on"relationships"in education,it offers a range of new tools for educational research.The application of these unique theories and methods has also led to new insights and approaches,especially in educational practice and school improvement.From a developmental trend perspective,the specificity of the application of social network analysis in educational research is receiving increasing attention.The construction of foundational theories and the refinement of visualization tools are progressing simultaneously.The research intensity on meso and macro social relationships and their interaction patterns is increasing,and the integration of quantitative and qualitative research is on the rise.
social network analysiseducational researchschool improvement
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