Analyzing Social Media Networks with NodeXL：Insights from a Connected World

Businesses,entrepreneurs,individuals,andgovernmentagenciesalikearelookingtosocialnetworkanalysis(SNA)toolsforinsightintotrends,connections,andfluctuationsinsocialmedia.Microsoft'sNodeXLisafree,open-sourceSNAplug-inforusewithExcel.Itprovidesinstantgraphicalrepresentationofrelationshipsofcomplexnetworkeddata.ButitgoesfurtherthanotherSNAtools--NodeXLwasdevelopedbyamultidisciplinaryteamofexpertsthatbringtogetherinformationstudies,computerscience,sociology,human-computerinteraction,andover20yearsofvisualanalytictheoryandinformationvisualizationintoasimpletoolanyonecanuse.ThismakesNodeXLofinterestnotonlytoend-usersbutalsotoresearchersandstudentsstudyingvisualandnetworkanalyticsandtheirapplicationintherealworld.InAnalyzingSocialMediaNetworkswithNodeXL,membersoftheNodeXLdevelopmentteamuptoprovidereaderswithathoroughandpracticalguideforusingthetoolwhilealsoexplainingthedevelopmentbehindeachfeature.Blendingthetheoreticalwiththepractical,thisbookappliesspecificSNAinstructionsdirectlytoNodeXL,butthetheorybehindtheimplementationcanbeappliedtoanySNA.TolearnmoreaboutAnalyzingSocialMediaNetworksandNodeXL,visitthecompanionsiteatwww.mkp.com/nodexl*WalksyouthroughNodeXL,whileexplainingthetheoryanddevelopmentbehindeachstep,providingtakeawaysthatcanapplytoanySNA*DemonstrateshowvisualanalyticsresearchcanbeappliedtoSNAtoolsforthemassmarket*IncludescasestudiesfromresearcherswhouseNodeXLonpopularnetworkslikeemail,Facebook,Twitter,andwikis