G-1SJLM Modern Math Methods
Last updated: 1 Mar 2017
Included in collections
- Collection Networks
Files
Properties
- Order38
- Size61
- Minimum degree0
- Maximum degree11
- Diameter5
- Clique number7
- Connectedfalse
- Arcs0.0
- File size5
- Average degree3.2105
- Strong components9
- Weak components9
- Modes1
- Temporalfalse
- Multirelationalfalse
- Directedundirected
- Realtrue
- Genealogyfalse
- Multiple linesfalse
- Weightedfalse
- Minimum weight1.0
- Maximum weight1.0
- Loopsfalse
This is the network of superintendents, where two are connected if one of them recognizes the other as a good friend. This is a generalized (symmetric) version of the Modern Math Methods Directed network.
Background:
This network concerns the diffusion of a new mathematics method in the 1950s. This innovation was instigated by top mathematicians and sponsored by the National Science Foundation of the USA as well as the U.S. Department of Education. The diffusion process was successful since the new method was adopted in a relatively short period by most schools. The example traces the diffusion of the modern math method among school systems which combine elementary and secondary programs in Allegheny County (Pennsylvania, USA). All school superintendents who were at least two years in office were interviewed. They are the gatekeepers to educational innovation because they are in the position to make the final decision. The researchers obtained data from 61 out of 68 superintendents, 51 of whom had adopted by 1963 (84%). Among other things, the superintendents were asked to indicate their friendship ties with other superintendents in the county with the following question: Among the chief school administrators in Allegheny County, who are your three best friends? The researcher analyzed the friendship choices among the 38 interviewed superintendents who adopted the method and were in position at least one year before the first adoption, so they could have adopted earlier. Unfortunately, the researcher did not include the friendship choices by superintendents who did not receive any choices themselves; they are treated as isolates.
Network image:
History:
- Original author: Richard O. Carlson (Center for the Advanced Study of Educational Administration, University of Oregon in 1965? - not listed there now)
- Data compiled into Pajek data files by W. de Nooy, 2001.
References:
- R.O. Carlson, Adoption of Educational Innovations (Eugene: University of Oregon, Center for the Advanced Study of Educational Administration, 1965, p. 19).
- W. de Nooy, A. Mrvar, & V. Batagelj, Exploratory Social Network Analysis with Pajek (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), Chapter 8.