A Guide for Choosing Community Detection Algorithms in Social Network Studies: The Question Alignment Approach.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Community detection, the process of identifying subgroups of highly connected individuals within a network, is an aspect of social network analysis that is relevant but potentially underutilized in prevention research. Guidance on using community detection methods stresses aligning methods with specific research questions but lacks clear operationalization. The Question Alignment approach was developed to help address this gap and promote the high-quality use of community detection methods.

Methods

A total of 6 community detection methods are discussed: Walktrap, Edge-Betweenness, Infomap, Louvain, Label Propagation, and Spinglass. The Question Alignment approach is described and demonstrated using real-world data collected in 2013. This hypothetical case study

SUBMITTER: Smith NR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7508227 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature