A tutorial for modeling the evolution of network dynamics for multiple groups

Researchers have been increasingly taking advantage of the stochastic actor-oriented modeling framework as a method to analyze the evolution of network ties. Although the framework has proven to be a useful method to model longitudinal network data, it is designed to analyze a sample of one bounded network. For group and team researchers, this can be a significant limitation because such researchers often collect data on more than one team. This paper presents a nontechnical and hands-on introduction for a meta-level technique for stochastic actor-oriented models in RSIENA where researchers can simultaneously analyze network drivers from multiple samples of teams and groups. Moreover, we follow up with a multilevel Bayesian version of the model when it is appropriate. We also provide a framework for researchers to understand what types of research questions and theories could be examined and tested.