The Evolution of Online Forums as Communication Networks: An Agent-Based Model

Authored by Simone Gabbriellini

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: NetLogo

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

This article proposes a theoretical and computational model of how people communicate in online discussion forums. The model's analysis shows that two simple mechanisms can account for the complexity of online communication networks, i.e., a) the tendency to talk with already known users, and b) the tendency to engage in Q&A exchanges. These two mechanisms are able to reproduce lengthy discussions as well as complex interactions between users with different levels of expertise. Most notably, when compared to empirical data taken from three different online forums, the model is able to discern when a strong core of users emerges (or not) that interacts more frequently. Since the evolution of a core of stable interacting users might be the first step in building a community's shared feeling, being able to model the emergence of such core is of interest in a broad range of contexts, from policy-making and e-learning to social marketing.

Tags

Agent-based modeling Social Network Analysis Bipartite networks DISCUSSION FORUMS ONLINE COMMUNITIES ONLINE PARTICIPATION computer-mediated communication Virtual Worlds P-asterisk models Affiliation networks Social support Strangers Gamers Drugs