Analyzing Social Media Networks with NodeXL: Insights from a Connected World

Social network analysis (SNA) tools provide graphical representations of relations, links, and trends of complex information contained in networked software, the internet, and mobile devices. The visualizations are used for evaluation, comparison, and analysis of data--used, for example, by businesses to analyze buying patterns, individuals to analyze social network traffic, and governments to analyze crime trends. NodeXL is a free, open-source SNA tool developed by Microsoft for use with Excel. It applies 20+ years of visual analytic theory and information visualization into a simple tool anyone can use. Not only its application but its development are of interest to HCI researchers. Ben Shneiderman, a pioneer in HCI, developed this tool. In this book, he and others from the development team provide not only an in-depth practical guide on how to best use the tool, but also explain the theory behind it. Although the "how" applies directly to NodeXL, the theory is of use to anyone involved with visual analytics and information visualization.