Methodological Of Use of the Concept of "Network" in Sociology

Abstract

In the article the methodological bases of use of the concept of "network" in modern science and sociology in particular are analyzed. The author identifies four basic approaches to conceptualization of the notion of “network”: physical, mathematical, technical, and functional approached. It is shown that the traditional "mathematical" interpretation of the concept of “network” in sociology only partly satisfies the modern realities. Methodological perspectives of functional interpretations of the notion of “network”, which reflect the essential differences of network interactions patterns, are defined.