The importance of allowing ties to decay
Recently, a number of network dataset have been constructed from archival data (e.g., email logs) with the aim to study human interaction. This has allowed researchers to study large-scale social networks. If the archival data does not included information about the severing or weakening of ties, non-relevant interaction among people, which occurred far in the past, might be deemed relevant. This post highlights this issue and suggests imposing a lifespan on interactions to record only relevant ties with the current strength.
Entry filed under: Network thoughts. Tags: arcs, complex networks, edges, evolution, graphs, Links, longitudinal networks, network, online communication, online social networks, reinforcement, social network analysis, social networking site, strength of ties, ties, valued networks, weighted networks.
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Tore Opsahl 