A Social Network is a theoretical construction useful in the social sciences to study social relationships.

Social network analysis refers to methods used to analyze social networks, social structures made up of individuals or organizations, which are connected by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, common interest, financial exchange, or relationships of beliefs, etc.…

Facing this new domain I have make a personal research, and realize a synthesis, which has help me to clarify some ideas. The attached presentation does not intent to be exhaustive on the subject, but could perhaps bring you some useful insights.

http://www.decideo.fr/bruley/docs/3___sna_v0.pdf