Dinh defends dissertation

Doctoral candidate Ly Dinh successfully defended her dissertation, "Advances to Network Analysis Theories and Methods for the Understanding of Formal and Emergent Structures in Interpersonal, Corporate/Organizational, and Hazards Response Setting," on May 19.

Her committee included Associate Professor Jana Diesner (chair); Assistant Professor Peter Darch; Scott Althaus, professor in the Department of Communication and Department of Political Science, UIUC; and Leysia Palen, professor in the Department of Computer Science and Department of Information Science, University of Colorado Boulder.

Abstract: Network analysis provides valuable theoretical and methodological toolkits to investigate complex systems of social-technical relations. It has been applied to various social science research contexts to understand the mechanisms for individuals and groups to form connections. Furthermore, extant literature finds that networks of social organizing often comprise of structures that are formally specified (i.e., formal) and informally created from unplanned interactions (i.e., emergent). This dissertation builds upon prior literature in network science theories and methods with a goal to examine the formal and emergent structures of organizing in (1) interpersonal, (2) corporate/organizational communication, and (3) hazards response setting. The findings contribute to the growing literature on the theories and applications of network analysis to real-world social networks, with a specific focus on discovering the emergent network patterns and how they are meaningfully different from formal (or expected) structures. The study designs developed in this dissertation also provide frameworks for network-based studies to examine the mechanisms involved in tie formation.

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Spectrum Scholar Spotlight: Mateo Caballero

Twelve iSchool master’s students were named 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. This "Spectrum Scholar Spotlight" series highlights the School's scholars. MSLIS student Mateo Caballero graduated from Northeastern University with a BA in communications and media and screen studies.

Mateo Caballero

iSchool represented at Charleston Conference

iSchool adjunct and affiliate faculty will participate in virtual and in-person sessions of the 2024 Charleston Conference. The conference is an annual gathering that draws librarians, publishers, vendors, and others to discuss issues relating to the acquisition and publication of books and serials. 

Schneider group to present at ASIS&T workshop

Members of Associate Professor Jodi Schneider’s group will present their research at the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) Workshop on Informetric, Scientometric, and Scientific and Technical Information Research, which will be held virtually on November 6 and 13. The MET-STI 2024 Workshop is collaboratively hosted by the Special Interest Group for Metrics (SIG-MET) and Special Interest Group for Scientific and Technical Information (SIG-STI) of ASIS&T.

Jodi Schneider

iSchool International: Studying abroad in Melbourne

BSIS + DS student Jenny Mai discusses her study abroad experience in Melbourne, Australia, a country filled with energy, culture, and a laid-back but driven attitude. According to Mai, "living in Melbourne has been more transformative" than she expected!

Jenny Mai

Allgood is 'all in' on information science

MSLIS student Evan Allgood's volunteer work showed him that a career in information science would bring all his interests together in one field: accessibility, literature, history, technology, databases, and community building.

Evan Allgood