Using Social Network Analysis Techniques to Examine Online Interactions

Abstract

Because of the increasing dependence on electronic means for communication, people's experiences become more virtual and less tangible. But these digital experiences are usually recorded, and they could be traced and analyzed. The persistent data generated by online interactions could be analyzed with different methodologies, like content analysis or thread analysis. However, these methods could be time -consuming or overlook structural characteristics of the interactions. Social network analysis (SNA) techniques have been applied to a variety of problems and they have been successful in uncovering relationships not seen with any other traditional method. Also, visualization techniques are important aids in helping researchers understand social and conversational patterns in online interactions. SNA techniques paired with recent developments in software for visualization could help provide a clearer picture of what is happening in the online environment. In this work, SNA techniques and visualizations were used to examine interactions in an online asynchronous forum. The methodologies to create the visual objects that represent these online interactions are shown and the utility of these images as devices for data pattern recognition is discussed.