Network Research

Try searching for a topic related to building, managing, and evaluating cross-sector coalitions, networks, and community partnerships.

We’ve done a lot of research and written many papers over our decades of time studying networks. Topics range from network governance and communication to network trust and strategies. Here are all our peer-reviewed articles and other scientific papers free to read and use for non-commercial purposes. Check back for new research – we regularly publish new findings and papers.

Health System Patient Referrals for Unmet Social Needs
Publications

Health System Patient Referrals for Unmet Social Needs: Exploring the Capacity of Community-Based Organizations to Absorb Them

We conducted this research to better understand the capacity of community organizations to abosrb health system patient referrals for unmet social needs. This study examines the perspectives, resources, role and services provided by community-based organisations (CBOs) in response to the integration of health and social

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Publications

Partnerships for Recovery Across The Sectors (PRACTIS) Toolkit

This toolkit demonstrates how to use the PARTNER platform for coordinating and assessing recovery networks. Based on a partnership between VNL, RAND, and the NY State Health Department, the use case is focused on response networks after Hurricane Sandy.  The RAND Corporation, in partnership with

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Evaluating Networks using PARTNER
Publications

Evaluating Networks Using PARTNER: A Social Network Evaluation Tool

Today, cross-sector partners are working together and utilizing a systems approach to solve and tackle complex social problems facing their communities. While building cross-sector organizational networks has become a best practice in solving complex problems, there is little guidance or evidence on how it can

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Structural Holes and Networks
Publications

Structural Holes and Networks

The theory of structural holes and networks suggests that intentionally leaving gaps between members of a network provides certain key advantages. Tightly interconnected networks are full of redundant information – you don’t necessarily need to actively work with everything in a coalition to fully leverage

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Publications

The Strength of Weak Ties

The Strength of Weak Ties was one of the most important network science theories in existence. In 1973, Mark Granovetter wrote his landmark paper studying how people get jobs through their personal networks. Contrary to expectations, Mark found that people typically get new jobs through

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Publications

Implications of Network Structure on Public Health Collaboratives

Interorganizational collaboration is an essential function of public health agencies. These partnerships form social networks that involve diverse types of partners and varying levels of interaction. Such collaborations are widely accepted and encouraged, yet very little comparative research exists on how public health partnerships develop

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Publications

How to Identify Success Among Networks that Promote Active Living

Objectives. We evaluated organization- and network-level factors that influence organizations’ perceived success. This is important for managing interorganizational networks, which can mobilize communities to address complex health issues such as physical activity, and for achieving change. Methods. In 2011, we used structured interview and network

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Publications

Contributions of Health Care Coalitions to Preparedness and Resilience: Perspectives From Hospital Preparedness Program and Health Care Preparedness Coalitions

Objective: The purpose of this article was to describe how the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) and other health care coalitions conceptualize and measure progress or success and to identify strategies to improve coalition success and address known barriers to success. Methods: We conducted a structured

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Didn’t find what you were looking for? Use the search and filter options on the right to conduct a more personalized search, or visit our Network Science Resource Library for complete access to all of our webinars, infographics, articles and research all in one place.

You can also visit our PARTNER Research & Evaluation Example Page to see a few dozen examples of third party studies and evaluations conducted using our tools and software. Network analysis provides a powerful lens for improving collaboration and networking.

We follow a number of peer-reviewed journals to inform and advance our work. Here’s a list of some of the sources we recommend related to network science, public health, collaboration and social impact.

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