Examining Teachers' Professional Relationships, Friendship, and Trust Networks via Social Network Analysis

Abstract

In this study, Social Network Analysis method was used to determine the professional relationships, friendships and trust networks that teachers established with their colleagues. The study group of the research consists of 35 teachers working in a public secondary education institution in Aydın province. A three-question structured interview form developed by the researchers was used to determine teachers' social networks. Data analysis was carried out through the UCINET 6.0 program. When the findings regarding the positions of teachers in the professional relationship network, friendship network and trust network were examined, it was determined that the network structure with the highest number of connections was the friendship network (ties = 97), followed by the professional relationship (ties = 95) and the trust network (ties = 66). In all social networks, teachers with mathematics, guidance, literature and biology branches were found to be at the center of the network, acting as a bridge between other actors and providing information and resource flow. According to the findings, it was determined that the network with the highest density (dens. = 0.082), bilateral (dia. = 0.198) and triad (triad = 0.330) reciprocity rate was the friendship network. This study, which examines the professional relationships, friendships and trust networks that teachers establish with their colleagues, is thought to be important in revealing the relationships between teachers and analyzing the current situation.