Generalized blockmodeling in R using blockmodeling package

Instructors: Aleš Žiberna and Marjan Cugmas; Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract: The workshop will cover generalized blockmodeling (Doreian et al., 2005; Žiberna, 2007) of mainly one-mode binary and valued networks in R using “blockmodeling” package (Žiberna, 2021). Only basic knowledge of R and networks/graphs is required. The workshop will cover matrix representation of the network, plotting of such matrices, and of course, clustering the units in the network, that is blockmodeling. Clustering units based on structural, regular and generalized equivalence will be covered. The later implies that also pre-specified blockmodeling will be covered. All aspects of blockmodeling with the blockmodeling package from preparing the data through calling the optimization function (including setting appropriate parameters) to plotting and interpreting the results will be covered. In case of sufficient time and expressed interest, blockmodeling two-mode, multilevel, and linked networks can also discussed.