Abstract
Social networks research has gained popularity in health services research in recent years. Social networks are one way to conceptualise and examine the role of social context in sha** phenomena. The connections between individuals (e.g. patients or healthcare providers) have been examined with a view on their structure, determinants and consequences. Studies found that network factors such as density of connections relate to health-relevant phenomena, such as the uptake of recommended practices by healthcare providers and health behaviours in patients. Social network research has specific features, which differ from many other quantitative studies. This chapter complements previous chapters by focusing on aspects of sampling, measurement and data analysis that are particularly relevant or unique for networks research.
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Valente, T. W., & Pitts, S.R. (2017). An Appraisal of Social Network Theory and Analysis as Applied to Public Health: Challenges and Opportunities. Annual Review of Public Health, 38, 103–18.
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Wensing, M., Arnold, C., Koetsenruijter, J. (2023). Social Networks Analysis in Health Services Research. In: Wensing, M., Ullrich, C. (eds) Foundations of Health Services Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29998-8_10
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