A simulation-based approach to assess the goodness of fit of Exponential Random Graph Models

• Author / Creator

  Li, Yin

• Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) have been developed for fitting social network data on both static and dynamic levels. However, the lack of large sample asymptotic properties makes it inadequate in assessing the goodness-of-fit of these ERGMs. Simulation-based goodness-of-fit plots were proposed by Hunter et al (2006), comparing the structured statistics of observed network with those of corresponding simulated networks. In this research, we propose an improved approach to assess the goodness of fit of ERGMs. Our method is shown to improve the existing graphical techniques. We also propose a simulation based test statistic with which the model comparison can be easily achieved.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Goodness of fit
  • Exponential Random Graph Models
  • Social Networks

• Graduation date

  2010-11

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3JC78

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.