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Assessing and accounting for time heterogeneity in stochastic actor oriented models. (English) Zbl 1284.62514

Summary: This paper explores time heterogeneity in stochastic actor oriented models (SAOM) proposed by T. A. B. Snijders [“The statistical evaluation of social network dynamics”, in: Sociological methodology. Boston: Blackwell. 361–395 (2001)] which are meant to study the evolution of networks. SAOMs model social networks as directed graphs with nodes representing people, organizations, etc., and dichotomous relations representing underlying relationships of friendship, advice, etc. We illustrate several reasons why heterogeneity should be statistically tested and provide a fast, convenient method for assessment and model correction. SAOMs provide a flexible framework for network dynamics which allow a researcher to test selection, influence, behavioral, and structural properties in network data over time. We show how the forward-selecting, score type test proposed by M. Schweinberger [Statistical modeling of network panel data: goodness of fit. Groningen: University of Groningen (PhD thesis) (2007), Chapter 4] can be employed to quickly assess heterogeneity at almost no additional computational cost. One step estimates are used to assess the magnitude of the heterogeneity. Simulation studies are conducted to support the validity of this approach. The ASSIST dataset [R. Campbell et al., “An informal school-based peer-led intervention for smoking prevention in adolescence (ASSIST): a cluster randomised trial”, Lancet 371, No. 9624, 1595–1602 (2008; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60692-3)] is reanalyzed with the score type test, one step estimators, and a full estimation for illustration. These tools are implemented in the RSiena package, and a brief walkthrough is provided.

MSC:

62M02 Markov processes: hypothesis testing

Software:

RSiena
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References:

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