Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 9
Compares clique size (x-axis) with accuracy (y-axis). The full list of cliques is
excerpted due to quantity detected (60,000 unique cliques). Inter-clique accuracy represents
the accuracy of perceptions that bridge two cliques, found by examining edges not present
in any found clique. Intra-clique accuracy represents accuracy in the maximal size clique
found to contain the given connection. Cumulative cliques represents the average accuracy
on all cliques of a given size. (n = 14,051 ratings)
5 Discussion
The results presented in this paper apply to many fields, including epidemiology,
information transmission, network analysis, human behavior, economics, and
neuroscience.
Constructing proper epidemiological models requires understanding both the
structure of people's friend networks and their perceptions of the intensity among
that network. Understanding the network's structure enables accurate modeling of
disease transmission, as more tightly connected individuals tend to spend more
time together both online and offline. Perceptions about others' connections are
crucial in studies of sexually transmitted diseases as partners gauge the sexual
histories of their mates. Online connections are especially interesting because in
some cases they may supplant regular offline contact because of geographic
separation, but will periodically interact in person, potentially transmitting any
type of disease stochastically. These studies indicate that online connections may
be an excellent place to look for connections that are not present in one's daily
life, but must be modeled to account for disease transmission.
This data can also help model information flows online. People who are closer
together will tend to share more data. That closeness will also mean that users will
know who to ask to gain access to specific information. Being able to predict the
best places to introduce information for rapid transmission to the entire network
would be important for mass movements and responses to authoritarian
repression, or the key nodes for information flow within a terrorist network.
