Three Primary Component

From Networkbiology.net

1. Connection
Empirial studies of networks probe network structure using a variety of techniques such as interviews, questionaires, direct observation of individuals, use of archival records, and specialist tools like "snowball smapling" and "ego-centred" studies.  The goals of such studeis is to create a picture of the connections (such as business relationships, personal realtionships, and so forth - studies must be designed appropriately to measure the particular connections of interest to the experimenters) between individuals.  

2. Community the network represents using mathematical or statistical analyses.
This is the domain f classifical social ntworks analysis, which focuses on issues such as: who are the most central members of a network and who are the most peripheral? which people have most influence over others? Does the community break down in to smaller groups and if so what are they? Which connections are most crucial to the functioning of a group?

3. Based on quantitative anlysis by mathemical modesl or computer moduels, of processes taking place in netowrked system
Modelling work of this type allow us to make proedictions about the behaviour of a community as a function of the parameters affecting the system. 

(Reference by Mark E. J. Newman, on The mathematics of Network)