Network analysis using the method of path lists: testing the weak ties hypothesis

Abstract A central contribution of network analysis is the recognition of the value of considering various sociological units of analysis; e.g. individuals, ties, connected triples of individuals. The ‘path list’ approach is based upon developing data files corresponding with each relevant unit of analysis, stating hypotheses in terms of particular units of analysis, and testing those hypotheses using the relevant data files. Data files are constructed from initial lists of ties using three basic file manipulation operations: (a) concatenating, (b) aggregating, and (c) matching; then, hypotheses are tested by examining associations among the variables in these files. This paper specifically shows how Granovetter's ‘weak ties hypothesis’ can be tested using the method of path lists. An appendix includes SPSS programs to implement the method of path lists for this task; other computer packages can also be used to implement the path list approach.