Network Maps: Collaboratives can be visually represented using network analysis. Shapes (called nodes) in the map represent organizations/partners and connections (lines) in the map represent reported connections between organizations/partners.

Nodes: Nodes on a map can be different shapes depending on what is most important to the collaborative., for example:

• Different shapes: community members as circles, researchers are squares

• Different sizes: the organization with the most connections is the biggest size, organization with the least connections is the smallest size

• Different colors: different types of organizations, such as non-profits, healthcare organizations or businesses.

Lines: The meaning, direction and thickness of lines on a map can have meaning, for example:

• Meaning: We ask each collaborative partner to identify different kinds of connections, based on what is most important to the collaborative. (i.e. resource sharing, referral, care co-ordination, problem solving). We make a separate network map for EACH type of collaboration. For each map, the line will represent a particular kind of connection.

• Direction: an arrow pointing from node 1 to node 2, indicating that node 1 claimed node 2 as a collaborator.

• Thickness: a thicker line can indicate a stronger/more frequent connection between nodes.

What social network measures do we provide for our collaboratives to identify strengths, gaps and opportunities?