Modeling social networks from sampled data

Network models are widely used to represent relational information among interacting units and the structural implications of these relations. Recently, social network studies have focused a great deal of attention on random graph models of networks whose nodes represent individual social actors and whose edges represent a specified relationship between the actors. Most inference for social network models assumes that the presence or absence of all possible links is observed, that the information is completely reliable, and that there are no measurement (e.g., recording) errors. This is clearly not true in practice, as much network data is collected though sample surveys. In addition even if a census of a population is attempted, individuals and links between individuals are missed (i.e., do not appear in the recorded data). In this paper we develop the conceptual and computational theory for inference based on sampled network information. We first review forms of network sampling designs used in practice. We consider inference from the likelihood framework, and develop a typology of network data that reflects their treatment within this frame. We then develop inference for social network models based on information from adaptive network designs. We motivate and illustrate these ideas by analyzing the effect of link-tracing sampling designs on a collaboration network.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/08-AOAS221 the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

On the Concept of Snowball Sampling

This brief comment reflects on the historical and current uses of the term "snowball sampling."Comment: 5 pages, 0 figures. To appear in Sociological Methodolog

Respondent-Driven Sampling: An Assessment of Current Methodology

Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) employs a variant of a link-tracing network sampling strategy to collect data from hard-to-reach populations. By tracing the links in the underlying social network, the process exploits the social structure to expand the sample and reduce its dependence on the initial (convenience) sample. The primary goal of RDS is typically to estimate population averages in the hard-to-reach population. The current estimates make strong assumptions in order to treat the data as a probability sample. In particular, we evaluate three critical sensitivities of the estimators: to bias induced by the initial sample, to uncontrollable features of respondent behavior, and to the without-replacement structure of sampling. This paper sounds a cautionary note for the users of RDS. While current RDS methodology is powerful and clever, the favorable statistical properties claimed for the current estimates are shown to be heavily dependent on often unrealistic assumptions.Comment: 35 pages, 29 figures, under revie

Évolution de la recherche empirique sur l’interprétation de conférence

Évolution de la recherche empirique sur l'interprétation de conférence — Dans un historique de la recherche sur l'interprétation, les années 90 correspondent à une période de renouveau après une prise de conscience (années 50 et 60), une période expérimentale (années 65 à 75) et une période de stagnation due au protectionnisme de certains praticiens au pouvoir (75 à fin des années 80). Ce renouveau se traduit par une plus grande ouverture interdisciplinaire et inter-centres et par une sensibilisation à la recherche empirique, mais celle-ci reste faible : les chercheurs, surtout des interprètes-enseignants, sont peu nombreux et n'ont pas été formés à la recherche et aux disciplines cognitives pertinentes; les centres sont peu nombreux, petits, dispersés et sans infrastructure institutionnelle. Les perspectives d'évolution restent incertaines.Trends in Empirical Research into Conference Interpreting — In the history of research on conference interpreting, the 1990s represent a period of revival. This follows a period of awareness (1950s and 1960s), an experimental period (1965-1975), and a period of stagnation due to the protectionist attitude of some influential practitioners in the field (1975 to the end of the 1980s). The revival is characterized by a more open interdisciplinary and inter-centre approach, as well as by a greater, although still moderate, interest in empirical research. Researchers, especially interpreter-instructors, are few and are not trained in research or in the relevant disciplines. Moreover, the centres are few, small, far apart and are lacking in institutional infrastructure. The future of research in the field thus remains uncertain. (Trans, by Paul Bandia

Interpreting studies: a critical view from within

The paper describes and discusses the historical evolution of IS from a profession-driven, narrow-focused independent entity towards a wider academic discipline addressing all types of interpreting within the discipline of Translation Studies (TS). It explains its limitations and weaknesses in terms of size, environmental factors and human factors. It discusses the effects of the integration of IS into TS and concludes with a few suggestions to IS leaders in view to strengthen the discipline.El presente artículo describe y analiza la evolución histórica de los Estudios de Interpretación, que pasan de ser una entidad independiente de miras estrechas e impulsada por consideraciones profesionales a configurarse como una disciplina académica más amplia, que aborda todo tipo de interpretación en el ámbito de los Estudios de Traducción. En el texto se explican sus limitaciones y puntos débiles en términos de tamaño, factores infraestructurales y humanos, al tiempo que se trata el efecto de su integración en el marco de los Estudios de Traducción. El artículo concluye con una serie de sugerencias para la consolidación de la disciplina dirigidas a los responsables en este ámbito

Interpretation Research: A New Impetus?

Attitudinal changes are a salient recent development in the interpreting research community. They include an aspiration to science and to interdisciplinarity. However, such an aspiration is difficult to implement because of training- and motivation-related constraints, as well as difficulties in access to field data. The most promising avenues for development lie in research promotion policies in interpretation schools, and in the involvement of non-interpreting researchers in interpretation research