Overview Of Network Analysis Platforms

Overview of Common Social Network Analysis Software Platforms

Overview and Methodology
Authors
This report was developed by the Philanthropy and Networks Exploration, a partnership between the Packard Foundation and Monitor Institute. The exploration is an inquiry into how networks can facilitate greater philanthropic effectiveness
For more information, please go to http://www.philanthropyandnetworks.org
Purpose
The guide is intended to provide an overview of social network analysis tools available
For each tool we outline the primary application as well as the pros and cons for each platform
Sources and Methodology
Software tools were identified from:
The International Network for Social Network Analysis’s software catalogue 1
Social network literature 2
Resources made available online by social network analysis experts including Bruce Hoppe, Steve Borgatti, and Valdis Krebs
Comments on usability and functionality are based on our initial experimentation with those tools that could be downloaded for use; the exception is Smart Networks Analyzer, which we have used more extensively
http://www.insna.org/INSNA/soft_inf.html
Huisman, M. & van Duijn, M. A. J. (2005). Software for Social Network Analysis. In Peter J. Carrington, John Scott, & Stanley Wasserman (Eds.) "Models and Methods in Social Network Analysis" (pp. 270-316). Cambridge University Press.

Summary of Social Network Analysis Tool Types Type Description Advanced / Academic Social Network Analysis Tools Accessible but Advanced Social Network Analysis Tools Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools
Often used in academic settings and intended for the most sophisticated types of social network analysis
Often built for performance as opposed to usability
User guides and help files are not comprehensive or are written for more sophisticated audiences
Example: UCINET
Used in more general settings, including corporate environments
Built with the user in mind and tend to be more intuitive and easier to use than tools for primarily academic applications
Software help files are more comprehensive and user guides are written for a general user audience
Example: NetMiner
Can be used by users less familiar with social network analysis
Tools are built without complex functionality and are very easy to navigate and use
Help files are simple and clear
Example: Smart Network Analyzer
The SNA tools we surveyed can be broken into the following broad categories: Online Tools That Enable Visualization of Preexisting User Generated Data
Used to analyze existing data made available by users
Often simple to use with intuitive functionality
Example: Xigi

Release Timeline
A partial history of when social network analysis tools first emerged, based on the limited information available on software release dates:
1987 : UCINET
1996 : Pajek
1998 : StOCNET
1999 : Otter
2001 : NetVis Module, NetMiner
2002 : Visone
2004 : Cross Network Analytics
2007 : Sentinel Visualizer, Friend Wheel, ONA Surveys, Net-Map Toolbox
2008 : ManyEyes, Nexus, Mutual Friend Network Visualization, TouchGraph Navigator, KeyHubs

Advanced / Academic Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: UCINET / NetDraw
UCINET / NetDraw
URL : http://www.analytictech.com
Description :
UCINET is a downloadable software program that can read and write social network data files
NetDraw is bundled with UCINET and used to read and display network visualizations
UCINET is widely used in academia
The UCINET file format can be used with a number of other analysis and visualization platforms
Environments : Primarily used in academic environments; UCINET is also used by consultants that have developed customized versions of the software to suit more specific needs
Cost : Free for individual use; $250 for a business license
Released: 1987
Pros :
Significant flexibility to import data from different files formats, including Excel
Can support more complex types of network analysis; compatible with many different visualization platforms
Cons :
More difficult to use for simple social network analysis tasks
Online help resources are intended for more sophisticated audiences
Difficult to filter data that is being viewed
NetDraw’s visualization does not allow for formatting of output

Advanced / Academic Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: ONA Surveys
UCINET / NetDraw
URL : http://www.onasurveys.com/
Description :
A survey data processing tool that creates output for use in UCINET / NetDraw
Environments : Primarily used in academic environments; UCINET is also used by consultants that have developed customized versions of the software to suit more specific needs
Cost : Free for limited features, $40/mo for nonprofit use
NEW

Advanced / Academic Social Network Analysis Tools Other Tools
GUESS
URL : http://graphexploration.cond.org
Description : A data analysis and visualization tool for graphs and networks
Environments : Academic
Cost : Free
Pros : Multiple visualization options, ability to customize and modify the GUESS interface
Cons : Utilizes a console for users to enter in commands; potentially more difficult for newer users
StOCNET
URL : http://stat.gamma.rug.nl/stocnet
Description : An open source platform for more advanced social network analysis including network statistics and visual modeling
Cost : Free
Released: 1998
Pros : Incorporates modern advanced statistical methods into a software tool
Cons : Difficult to use; documentation has not been updated; output is not easy to manipulate

Otter
URL : http://www.caida.org/tools/visualization/otter/
Description : Otter is used for visualizing a variety of types of network data, including Internet data, topology data, and web site structure data
Cost : Free
Released: 1999
Pros : Able to handle many different types of formatted data sets
Cons : Limited functionality for formatting output and filtering nodes
NetVis Module
URL : http://www.netvis.org/
Description : An open source web-based tool to analyze and visualize social networks using data from Excel files and online surveys
Release year: 2001
Cost : Free
Pros : Web-based, simple for users to load data
Cons : Slow to process data; complicated user interface; limited visualization functionality for formatting output

Pajek
URL : http://pajek.imfm.si/doku.php
Description : A program used for the analysis and visualization of large networks
Cost : Free
Released: 1996
Pros : Good online documentation for using the software; advanced functionality for analyzing data
Cons : Difficult to use; primarily intended for more complex mappings of very large networks
SoNIA
URL : http://www.stanford.edu/group/sonia/
Description : A Java-based platform for visualizing longitudinal network data that shows how networks are formed over time
Cost : Free
Pros : Relatively simple to use
Cons : Lacks advanced functionality for formatting output; primarily intended for longitudinal data that shows the evolution and change of networks over time

Commetrix
URL : http://www.commetrix.de/
Description (from Wikipedia) : “Commetrix is a Software Framework and Tool for Dynamic Network Analysis and Visualization. It provides easy exploratory access to network graphs and has been applied to study co-authorship, Instant Messaging, manual SNA surveys, e-mail, newsgroups, etc. Each node and each linking event can have properties, e.g. types of messages or rank of nodes, but also types, topics, or time stamps. This allows animations of network growth, structural change, and topic diffusion. A short introductory video is available on the website.”
Environments : Any
Cost : Unknown, commercial licenses are available but nonprofit use may be free
NEW

SocNetV
URL : http://socnetv.sourceforge.net/index.html
Description (from the website) : “Social Networks Visualiser (SocNetV) is a flexible and user-friendly tool for the analysis and visualisation of Social Networks. It lets you construct networks (mathematical graphs) with a few clicks on a virtual canvas or load networks of various formats (GraphViz, GraphML, Adjacency, Pajek, UCINET, etc) and modify them to suit your needs. The application can compute basic network properties, such as density, diameter and distances (shortest path lengths), as well as more advanced structural statistics, such as node and network centralities (i.e. closeness, betweeness, graph), clustering coefficient, etc.”
Environments : Any
Cost : Free (open-source)
NEW

Accessible but Advanced Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: NetMiner
NetMiner
URL : www.netminer.com
Description :
NetMiner is an software tool for exploratory analysis and visualization of network data
The tool is able to handle large amounts of data and enables the user to conduct both simple and more advanced types of analysis, including a number of statistical procedures
Data can be visualized based on several different types of network visualization algorithms and statistical results can be charted using graphs
Environments : Because NetMiner is both user friendly and statistically powerful, it is suitable for a range of audiences including academic, corporate, and general consumer use
Released: 2001
Cost : Student use – $40; Commercial use – $980
Pros :
Convenient and intuitive user interface, easy to use for less advanced users
Good user support through help files built into the platform as well documentation on using the software online
Advanced functionality to conduct multiple types of statistical analyses and visualizations
Cons :
Requires a basic level of technical sophistication and familiarity with social network analysis

Accessible but Advanced Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Visone
Visone
URL : http://visone.info/
Description :
Used for the research and teaching of social network analysis.
Run in JAVA and can be downloaded or used via the web
Enables the user to run multiple types of visualizations based on common scientific algorithms; users can also calculate metrics based on social network data
Environments : Visone is commonly used in academic environments; it is also suitable for a wider audience because it is more affordable and easier to use than most academic platforms with similar functionality
Cost : Free
Released: 2002
Pros :
Clean looking and intuitive user interface
Advanced capability to output multiple types of visualizations
Cons :
Lack of help files integrated within the software platform
Online user’s manual to conducting analyses is not comprehensive and other online software documentation is intended for more sophisticated academic audiences

Accessible but Advanced Social Network Analysis Tools Other Tools
InFlow (Valdis Krebs)
URL : http://www.orgnet.com/inflow3.html
Description : InFlow is a set of proprietary network tools for visualizing and analyzing networks based on user generated data to determine where gaps and effective network connections exist
Environments : Corporate, academic, non-profit
Cost : $995 per seat and site license options
Pros : Good reputation; user friendly; includes visualization and metrics
Cons : JAVA platform can sometimes be slow; data must be precisely formatted
Network Evaluation Tool (Cross Network Analytics)
URL : https://webapp.comm.virginia.edu/NetworkRoundtable/
Description : Automates data collection and social network analysis; only available to Network Roundtable (Rob Cross’s consultancy) members
Environments : Corporate
Released: 2004
Cost : Network Roundtable membership ($12,500 per year)
Pros : Appears to have advanced functionality
Cons : Requires membership to Network Roundtable

Sentinel Visualizer
URL : http://www.fmsasg.com/Products/SentinelVisualizer/
Description : Advanced proprietary social network analysis tool intended for government and corporate use; target audiences include intelligence analysts, law enforcement, investigators, and researchers
Environments : Government, corporate
Released: 2007
Cost : $2,500 per user
Pros : Advanced capabilities for visualizing social networks in alternative formats, such as geospatial views, timelines, and 3D displays
Cons : More expensive than many other options

TouchGraph Navigator
URL : http://www.touchgraph.com/navigator.html
Description : A powerful network graphing tool that has reasonably strong database features.
Environments : Organizations
Released: 2008
Cost : $500 per copy
Pros :
Attractive output
Powerful filters
Clustering
Uses the network diagram as an interface for organizing and accessing additional data tables
Cons :
Not free (although not pricey)
Not as simple to use
Not web-based unless you want to pay a high fee
NEW

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Smart Networks Analyzer
Smart Networks Analyzer (Developed by Valdis Krebs, used by June Holley)
URL : N/A
Description :
A simplified version of Valdis Krebs’s InFlow that is run through a desktop software platform
Allows the user to simply view and analyze social network data imported from a formatted text file
Environments : Primarily non-profit organizations
Cost : Consulting (training) and licensing fee
Pros :
Very easy for non-experts in social network analysis to format data files
Enables users to simply load, filter, and visualize data
Intuitive user interface that allows user to filter data by network and node attribute
Cons :
Lacks more advanced functionality for using complex and scientific visualization algorithms
Inability to do complicated formatting of output, including setting the coloring and shape of nodes
Software can be slow, especially when conducting visualizations and exporting images
Software must be precisely formatted according to a number of rules

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Many Eyes
URL : http://manyeyes.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/
Description :
A free general-purpose data visualization site that contains a simple network diagramming tool
Allows anyone to upload data to the library and visualize it using any one of a variety of types of diagrams
Environments : Cross-sectoral
Cost : Free
Released: 2008
Pros :
Quick to learn, free, and easy to use
Cons :
No advanced network analysis or visualization features

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Nexus
URL : http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2415325843#/apps/application.php?id=5303167721&ref=s
Description :
A visualization tool designed specifically for charting Facebook social networks
Environments : Facebook
Cost : Free
Released: 2008
Pros :
Visually attractive interface
Simple to use
Facebook integration
Cons :
Works only with Facebook and no other data source (or social networking site)
Just two charting modes with little further design flexibility

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Mutual Friend Network Visualization
URL : http://danielmclaren.net/node/77
Description :
A visualization tool designed specifically for charting Facebook social networks
Cost : Free
Released: 2008
Pros :
Visually attractive interface
Simple to use
Cons :

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Friend Wheel
URL : http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2415325843
Description :
An alternative type of network diagram designed specifically for showing social networks on Facebook
Cost : Free
Released: 2007
Pros :
Visually attractive output
Simple to use
Cons :
Ego-centric design is not effective for charting larger networks

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Facebook Visualizer
URL : http://vansande.org/facebook/visualiser/
Description :
A network diagram of Facebook friends that uses profile photos
Cost : Free
Pros :
Shows friends’ actual faces
Filters using a number of different variables
Cons :
Slow and hard to navigate

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: TouchGraph Facebook
URL : http://www.touchgraph.com/TGFacebookBrowser.html
Description :
A network diagram of Facebook friends that uses profile photos
Cost : Free
Pros :
Shows friends’ actual faces
Powerful set of filters
Clusters are helpful for navigation
Cons :

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Keyhubs
URL : http://www.keyhubs.com/
Description :
A network-diagramming web service designed specifically for surfacing informal networks in organizations
Environments : Organizations and other small groups
Cost : Free for surveys of up to 10 people, $99/mo for unlimited size
Released: 2008
Pros :
Includes survey features for gathering data
Simple and easy to use
Cons :
Works only with its own survey data
No advanced network analysis features

Simple, Easy to Use Social Network Analysis Tools In-Depth Profile: Net-Map Toolbox
URL : http://netmap.wordpress.com/
Description (from the website) :
“ Net-Map is an interview-based mapping tool that helps people understand, visualize, discuss, and improve situations in which many different actors influence outcomes. By creating Influence Network Maps, individuals and groups can clarify their own view of a situation, foster discussion, and develop a strategic approach to their networking activities. More specifically, Net-Map helps players to determine
what actors are involved in a given network,
how they are linked,
how influential they are, and
what their goals are.
Determining linkages, levels of influence, and goals allows users to be more strategic about how they act in these complex situations. It helps users to answer questions such as: Do you need to strengthen the links to an influential potential supporter (high influence, same goals)? Do you have to be aware of an influential actor who doesn’t share your goals? Can increased networking help empower your dis-empowered beneficiaries?
The tool is low-tech and low-cost and can be used when working with rural community members with low formal education as well as with policy makers or international development actors.”
Environments : Nonprofits and any small group
Cost : Free
Released: 2007

Online Tools That Enable Visualization of Preexisting User Generated Data
Xigi.net
URL : http://www.xigi.net/
Description : Utilizes data provided by users to create network maps showing connections among organizations and people

Survey Collection Tools
Network Genie
URL : https://secure.networkgenie.com
Description : Network Genie allows users to design and manage surveys for gathering data for social network maps
Environments : General use
Costs : Free
Pros : Free, web-based
Cons : Complicated user interface, limited functionality and customizability for advanced survey questions

Overview Of Network Analysis Platforms

by Noah Flower

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