Text analysis, Multidimensional scaling, Correspondence analysis, PINDIS, INDSCAL,
In recent years the combination of graph theory and computing power has been very effective in solving problems in many fields. In the early 1970's many social scientists were very excited at the prospect of using these techniques to analyse social networks. It was soon discovered that the solution of particular problems was far easier than gaining new insights into complex processes. A few social scientists are now working in what is regarded as a specialist field, but it is not easy for workers in other areas to recognise situations in which the techniques of network analysis are likely to be of value to them. David Knoke and James Kuklinski have written a useful survey. It is traditional to begin such books with an overwhelming number of definitions written in an elegant, abstract, and unenlightening style. This book, at its best, uses relatively concrete definitions which are adequately motivated by discussion of substantive problems. It does not consistently succeed, but it is more successful than most.The range of topics covered is reasonably broad, so the reader who wants to know if network analysis has any applications in his/her area should be able to judge quite realistically whether to investigate the subject in more depth, or to look elsewhere. Those who feel that it might be useful are provided with a useful set of references, and advice on the availability of suitable computer programs. On the whole this book is likely to achieve its aims.
Dr.Brier is hcturer in Politict in the Universig of Southampton.Accounts now published of the workings of local government suggest that within the institutional framework of the local authority we need to concentrate on the following relationships.( I ) Those between councillors and officersthe decision-makersand their 'public', as expressed formally or informally in consultations with group representatives or individuals with grievances, or through the electoral system.( 2 ) Those between officers and councillors in the process of decisionmaking, and the role of the committee chairman as intermediary and, on occasion spokesman for a department.(3) The role of party groups and their leaders in the decision-making process, bearing in mind the different traditions of party government which seem to exist in essentially similar local government structures. (4) Interaction between the local social structure and the conduct of local government, as reflected for example, in the social composition of the elected membership of the council and local traditions of conflict or co-operation between competing dlites. This list is not exhaustive, nor are the categories mutually exclusive, but it is sufficient to generate some worthwhile hypotheses.The issue of fluoridation provides a useful focus for a case study of these relationships? The addition of fluoride to public water supplies up to the level considered as the optimum for the inhibition of dental decay in the child population has been urged since 1962 by the Ministry of Health (since 1968 the Department of Health and Social Security). The matter is held to be within the existing powers of local health authorities, the majority of which have accepted schemes in principle. The decision for 'Parallels to the well-known problem of 'community-power' research in America, tha different methods tend to produce different results, may, hopefully, be avoided in British local studies by a temporary avoidance of more rigorous methodology. cf. J.Walton, 'Substance and Artefact; the Current Role of Research on Community Power Structure', American Journal of Sociologv, 7 I , 1966, pp. 434-6. '53
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