# historical network analysis

> social network analysis used for historical research

**Wikidata**: [Q138215406](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138215406)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/historical-network-analysis

## Summary
Historical network analysis is the application of social network analysis methodologies specifically for historical research. It functions as a distinct practice within the broader field of digital humanities, operating at the intersection of computing technologies and traditional humanities disciplines. This approach allows researchers to structure and analyze historical data through the lens of network theory.

## Key Facts
*   **Definition:** Social network analysis used for historical research.
*   **Parent Class:** Digital humanities (an area of scholarly activity at the intersection of computing or digital technologies and the disciplines of the humanities).
*   **Parent Class:** Social media analytics (the process of gathering and analyzing data from social media).
*   **Subclass Of:** Social network analysis, historical research, and digital humanities.
*   **Aliases:** Historical network research, historical social network analysis, and historical networks.
*   **Field of Study:** Scholarly activity combining computing/digital technologies with humanities disciplines.

## FAQs
### Q: What is historical network analysis?
A: Historical network analysis is the use of social network analysis techniques to study history. It falls under the umbrella of digital humanities, blending computational tools with historical inquiry.

### Q: How does historical network analysis relate to digital humanities?
A: It is considered a subclass of digital humanities. It represents the specific intersection where computing technologies are applied to the discipline of history to analyze social structures.

### Q: What are other names for historical network analysis?
A: The practice is also referred to as historical network research, historical social network analysis, or simply historical networks.

## Why It Matters
Historical network analysis matters because it bridges the gap between quantitative computing and qualitative historical study. As a subset of digital humanities, it addresses the challenge of interpreting complex historical data by applying structured, computational analysis to past social structures. This methodology allows researchers to identify connections and patterns in history that might remain hidden using traditional research methods alone. By utilizing frameworks often associated with social media analytics, it provides a systematic way to process historical information, reinforcing the role of technology in modern scholarly activity.

## Notable For
*   Being a specialized application of social network analysis tailored for historical data rather than modern social media.
*   Existing at the academic intersection of computing technologies and the humanities.
*   Serving as a key methodology within the digital humanities landscape.
*   Adapting modern analytics processes for the study of the past.

## Body
### Definition and Context
Historical network analysis is defined as the utilization of social network analysis for the purpose of historical research. It is an academic methodology that allows historians to map and analyze relationships between entities (such as people, places, or organizations) within a historical context.

### Academic Classification
This field is structurally classified as a subclass of three primary domains:
*   **Social Network Analysis:** Providing the methodological framework for analyzing structures.
*   **Historical Research:** Providing the subject matter and temporal context.
*   **Digital Humanities:** Providing the technological and interdisciplinary environment.

It falls under the parent class of **Digital Humanities**, which is broadly defined as scholarly activity occurring at the intersection of computing or digital technologies and the disciplines of the humanities. Additionally, it is categorized under **Social Media Analytics**—defined as the process of gathering and analyzing data from social media—indicating a shared technical lineage with modern data analytics despite its historical focus.

### Nomenclature
The field is recognized under several specific aliases, including:
*   Historical network research
*   Historical social network analysis
*   Historical networks