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How Latent Class Models Matter to Social Network Analysis and Mining: Exploring the Emergence of Community

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The Influence of Technology on Social Network Analysis and Mining

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Social Networks ((LNSN,volume 6))

Abstract

This article introduces latent class models (LCM) into the framework of social networks. We suggest ways of bridging both fields to broaden the debate on the effects of social networks on the community. It discusses the advantages of reducing complex data to a limited number of typologies from a theoretical and empirical perspective. Instead of using data that originated from inaccurate sources, we focused our study around the concept of homophily; some first-hand data was obtained for the study and the latent class model applied to identify the clustering patterns of the social network as represented by the data. The findings show three-latent class typologies for social networks. We discuss each one in terms of: (1) network structure, (2) trust and reciprocity, (3) resources, (4) community engagement, (5) the internet and (6) years of residence. We discuss the implications of the results and suggest new directions for the community debate on SNA.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Univ Tecn Lisboa, ISCSP, P-1349055, Lisbon, Portugal

    Jaime R. S. Fonseca & Romana Xerez

Authors
  1. Jaime R. S. Fonseca
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  2. Romana Xerez
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jaime R. S. Fonseca .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Engineering, TOBB University, Sogutozu Cad No. 43, Sogutozu Ankara, Turkey

    Tansel Özyer

  2. Computer Science, University of Calgary, University Dr. NW 2500, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Jon Rokne

  3. IPSC, European Commission Joint Research Cent., Via Enrico Fermi 2749, Ispra, 21027, Italy

    Gerhard Wagner

  4. De Wetstraat 16, Leiden, 2332 XT, Netherlands

    Arno H.P. Reuser

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Fonseca, J.R.S., Xerez, R. (2013). How Latent Class Models Matter to Social Network Analysis and Mining: Exploring the Emergence of Community. In: Özyer, T., Rokne, J., Wagner, G., Reuser, A. (eds) The Influence of Technology on Social Network Analysis and Mining. Lecture Notes in Social Networks, vol 6. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1346-2_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1346-2_25

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-1345-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-1346-2

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