Identifying communities in blogs: roles for social network analysis and survey instruments. (28th June 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chin, Alvin; Chignell, Mark
• Is Part Of: International journal of Web based communities. Volume 3:Number 3(2007)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 363
• Publication Date: 2007-06-28
• Subjects: blogs -- virtual communities -- sense of community -- social hypertext -- social network analysis -- SNA -- web based communities -- centrality -- Canada -- independent music -- social networks -- blogging relationships; Online social networks -- Periodicals; Social media -- Periodicals; World Wide Web -- Periodicals; 302.30285
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-8394

Abstract

We examine the problem of identifying, measuring and evaluating communities in blogs. In our approach, we use sense of community (McMillan and Chavis, 1986) and centrality measures derived from social network analysis. We then describe a method for identifying communities in blogs using both sense of community measurement and Social Network Analysis (SNA). We apply this framework to a blog on Canadian independent music. Hypotheses are developed concerning the specific structural properties of social networks formed by blogging relationships and how those properties are related to the sense of community experienced by the participants (authors and readers of the blogs). Finally, we discuss the implications for blog implementation and use.