This methods research brief paper presents the results of a scoping review aimed at identifying the extent of social network analysis used in the engineering education context. Educational research has demonstrated that students’ social connections are an important predictor of success within and outside the academic context. The idea that learning happens in specific contexts, based on theories like Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, emphasizes the importance of social interactions in the learning process. Thus, to fully grasp how learning occurs, we must consider the social environment where it takes place. Beyond learning outcomes, student support networks are emerging as a key determinant of students’ effective and professional outcomes. Self-efficacy, feelings of inclusion, and the ability to work in teams all relate to interpersonal interactions. Recognizing these relationships, a significant component of engineering education research now explores the relationships between students’ social networks and outcomes.
Among the qualitative and quantitative methods for researching engineering students’ social networks, Social Network Analysis (SNA) has gained prominence in the last decade. Founded in the larger field of network analysis, SNA considers connections between individuals (i.e., interactions) as quantitative pieces of an extensive network. Quantifying these interactions provides researchers with a series of network analysis tools for describing individuals, interactions, and their combination quantitatively and visually. Thus, SNA demonstrates unique value for providing engineering education researchers with a method to consider the role of interpersonal connections in student outcomes.
However, the current extent of SNA in engineering education is not well known. Although there are systematic reviews considering SNA in specific contexts, we have not found any that examine the overall application of SNA methods in engineering education. As the relevant literature continues to grow, reviews are necessary to provide researchers with an awareness of prior work, effective methods in prior studies, and emergent under-researched topics. The scoping review method is particularly well-suited for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the literature and its scope in a specific area. Therefore, this scoping review will identify the current landscape of literature on SNA in engineering education and offer recommendations for methods and future research.
Results demonstrate (a) the breadth of engineering education research applying SNA methods, with a focus on research sample characteristics including network size, majors, year in their program, and interaction medium (face-to-face, online, or hybrid); (b) prominent data collection trends for identifying networks; and (c) primary areas for subsequent systematic reviews and/or research as a result of gaps in the existing literature. These findings will enable future engineering education research to better identify and address key areas for future work by exploring students’ social networks according to the current state-of-the-art methods and prior works.
The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025