Visualizing the Signatures of Social Roles in Online Discussion Groups

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Visualizing the Signatures of Social Roles in Online Discussion Groups
Interesting article that analyzes patterns of interactivity (which they call 'structural signatures')in Usenet Newsgroups in order to find people playing specific roles in those newsgroups, for example, the role of the 'Answerer', the person in the group who offers answers to members' questions. Good diagrams contrasting the patterns characterizing this role with, say, people who discuss a lot. More...