Analytic strategies for longitudinal networks with missing data

TitleAnalytic strategies for longitudinal networks with missing data
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
Authorsde la Haye K, Embree J, Punkay M, Espelage D.L., Tucker S.J., Green H.D.
JournalSocial Networks
Volume50
Start Page17
Pagination17-25
Date Published07/2017
KeywordsAnalytic sample, Friendship network, Longitudinal analysis, SIENA, Social networks, Stochastic actor-based model
Abstract

Missing data are often problematic when analyzing complete longitudinal social network data. We review approaches for accommodating missing data when analyzing longitudinal network data with stochastic actor-based models. One common practice is to restrict analyses to participants observed at most or all time points, to achieve model convergence. We propose and evaluate an alternative, more inclusive approach to sub-setting and analyzing longitudinal network data, using data from a school friendship network observed at four waves (N = 694). Compared to standard practices, our approach retained more information from partially observed participants, generated a more representative analytic sample, and led to less biased model estimates for this case study. The implications and potential applications for longitudinal network analysis are discussed.

URLhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2017.02.001