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Student Network Centrality and Academic Performance: Evidence from United Nations University

Author

Listed:
  • Zhang, Ying

    (UNU-MERIT)

  • Rajabzadeh, Iman

    (UNU-MERIT)

  • Lauterbach, Rodolfo

    (UNU-MERIT)

Abstract

In this paper we empirically studied the relationship between network centrality and academic performance among a group of 47 PhD students from UNU-MERIT institute. We conducted an independent email survey and relied on social networks theory as well as standard econometric procedures to analyse the data. We found a significant reversed U-shaped relation between network centrality and students' academic performance. We controlled our results by several node's characteristics such as age, academic background, and research area. Additional evidence shows that there is a negative impact of age on academic performance at PhD student level. Contributions of this paper can refer to the input into studies that aim to explore peereffect. Also it contributes to the methodological approach by combining elements of network analysis and econometric theories. This study demonstrates that when evaluating the impact of network centrality on performance, there is no significant difference between various network centrality measurements.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Ying & Rajabzadeh, Iman & Lauterbach, Rodolfo, 2009. "Student Network Centrality and Academic Performance: Evidence from United Nations University," MERIT Working Papers 2009-034, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2009034
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    File URL: https://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/wppdf/2009/wp2009-034.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Networks analysis; Network centrality; Peer-effect; Academic performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation

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