La notion de "regularite" dans l'analyse des reseaux sociaux

Abstract

The authors begin with a brief review of the framework in which network analysis has been used in sociology and with a presentation of the basic notation employed. Using this basis, they then define the concept of regularity in social networks. After a short recall of matrix algebra resultats, several conditions for regularity are given along with examples of its use and application in social networks. These results are compared with those of the block-model approach to network analysis and with the general multivariable analysis approach used in sociology. The intersection and union of regular systems are described and developed along with sufficient conditions for their existance. This work is then applied in a detailed example concerning stratification in a small sample.