title: Fitting ERGMs on big networks.
abstract: The exponential random graph model (ERGM) has become a valuable tool for modeling social networks. In particular, ERGM provides great flexibility to account for both covariates effects on tie formations and endogenous network formation processes. However, there are both conceptual and computational issues for fitting ERGMs on big networks. This paper describes a framework and a series of methods (based on existent algorithms) to address these issues. It also outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the methods and the conditions to which they are most applicable. Selected methods are illustrated through examples.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Statistics and Sociology, Indiana University Bloomington, 752 Ballantine Hall, 1020 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. Electronic address: weihuaan@indiana.edu.
authors.forename: Weihua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D060756:Social Networking
keywords: Big networks; ERGMs; Link tracing; MCMLE; Meta network analysis; PMLE