Modelling animal network data in R using STRAND.

ABSTRACT

There have been recent calls for wider application of generative modelling approaches in applied social network analysis. At present, however, it remains difficult for typical end users-for example, field researchers-to implement generative network models, as there is a dearth of openly available software packages that make application of such models as simple as other, permutation-based approaches. Here, we outline the STRAND R package, which provides a suite of generative models for Bayesian analysis of animal social network data that can be implemented using simple, base R syntax. To facilitate ease of use, we provide a tutorial demonstrating how STRAND can be used to model proportion, count or binary network data using stochastic block models, social relation models or a combination of the two modelling frameworks. STRAND facilitates the application of generative network models to a broad range of data found in the animal social networks literature.