Statistical inference for multilayer networks in political science

Interactions between units in political systems often occur across multiple relational contexts. These relational systems feature interdependencies that result in inferential shortcomings and poorly-fitting models when ignored. General advancements in inferential network analysis have improved our a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Political science research and methods 2021-04, Vol.9 (2), p.380-397
Main Author: Chen, Ted Hsuan Yun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cold War
Interdependence
International conflict
International relations
Original Article
Political communication
Political science
Political systems
Politics
Statistical inference
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Summary:Interactions between units in political systems often occur across multiple relational contexts. These relational systems feature interdependencies that result in inferential shortcomings and poorly-fitting models when ignored. General advancements in inferential network analysis have improved our ability to understand relational systems featuring interdependence, but developments specific to working with interdependence that cross relational contexts remain sparse. In this paper, I introduce a multilayer network approach to modeling systems comprising multiple relations using the exponential random graph model. In two substantive applications, the first a policy communication network and the second a global conflict network, I demonstrate that the multilayer approach affords inferential leverage and produces models that better fit observed data.
ISSN:2049-8470
2049-8489
DOI:10.1017/psrm.2019.49