Complex Networks and Innovation– BUSM132
Semester B, 2024-2025
Coursework Guidelines
Students are expected to carry out the research project either in groups of two or three members. Groups of more than three members are not allowed. The project must be comprehensive and original in analysis, accurately grounded in theory and literature, and must convey a clear message. It may include theoretical syntheses, the proposal of new and exploratory conceptual models, theoretically grounded discussions of methodology, analysis of historical developments with clear implications for current and future theory, theoretically relevant discussions of timely and important network issues, and comprehensive literature reviews with strong theoretical implications.
Students must choose one of the following titles, or discuss their proposed topic with me and have it approved:
1. Critically assess, compare and contrast the random Poisson network model and the “scale-free” network model proposed by Barabási and Albert. With the aid of examples, discuss whether and the extent to which these models offer an accurate representation of real-world networks. Also define why these models are useful to study.
2. In the social sciences, scholars seem to agree on the importance of network structure, but disagree on the relative benefits of opposite types of structures. Some regard closed network structures (cohesion) as the source of social capital and innovation. Others have argued in favour of the benefits of open network structures (brokerage). With the aid of examples, critically assess, compare and contrast the network mechanisms underpinning these (apparently) opposing views of social capital.
3. By drawing on the Barabási-Albert “scale-free” network and the Watts-Strogatz “small-world” network, critically assess the implications of different network structures and properties (e.g., clustering, average distances) for real-world processes such as, for example, information and innovation diffusion, opinion dynamics, and viral marketing.
Learning Objectives:
The objective of the project is to allow students to develop the ability of undertaking independent work, while applying and extending ideas and methods introduced in the course.
Learning Outcomes:
Depending on the selected subject and approach, students should be able to:
• start up or redirect a line of inquiry;
• draw upon multiple disciplines;
• employ diverse methods, including qualitative, field, survey, archival, laboratory and computational methods;
• focus on different kinds of networks including acquaintance networks, co- authorship networks, inter- and intra-organizational networks;
• make a theoretical contribution;
• provide new empirical findings;
• achieve genuine integration of theory and data;
• provide a theoretically-driven review and integration of an important research area.
Project Format:
The project must be word processed or typed on A4 paper, double-spaced, 11-point font, with 1- inch margins all around.
The maximum length will be different depending on group size:
• Group of 2 students: maximum length of 3,000 words
• Group of 3 students: maximum length of 4,500 words
These maximum length constraints reflect the idea that, each student is expected to contribute 1,250-1,500 words.
Pages must be sequentially numbered.
Sections and sub-sections must be clearly identified and sequentially numbered. The project must include:
- The title and word count
- Students’ ID numbers; and group identifier;
- An abstract (up to 200 words): The abstract should summarise the project and conveying its broader implications and be devoid of mathematical symbols, acronyms, citations, or technical jargon
- Keywords (up to five)
- An introduction
- Literature review
- Analysis
- A final section with a critical discussion of the main findings
- Bibliography
References cited in the text should be listed alphabetically by author at the end of the project, beginning on a separate page headed “References”. Please use “Harvard” style referencing.
Avoid references to unpublished works and websites.
Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively and incorporated into the project. Tables and figures should complement arguments presented in the text.
Endnotes and footnotes should be kept to a minimum. If the note is necessary, it should be indicated in the text.
Assessment:
Overall assessment will be based upon:
- Problem identification
- Critical analysis of theoretical background
- Data collection (where applicable)
- Methods (where applicable)
- Analysis and evaluation of results
- Conclusions
- Organisation, style. and presentation
- References
Deadline:
The project is due on Thursday 17th April 2025 15:00 UK time. Students must follow the instructions on QMPlus as to how to submit the project. For further details, please refer to the School’s policy on deadlines.