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Signed network

Signed network is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Signed network rather than just read about it. In short: In a social network analysis (as in blockmodeling), a positive or a negative 'friendship' can be established between two nodes in a network; this results in a signed network. As social interaction between people can be positive or negative, so can be links between the nodes (representing persons).

Signed network — main illustration
Signed network — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Signed network belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Signed network to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Signed network from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In a social network analysis (as in blockmodeling), a positive or a negative 'friendship' can be established between two nodes in a network; this results in a signed network. As social interaction between people can be positive or negative, so can be links between the nodes (representing persons). When a positive or a negative value is attributed on the relationship between the two nodes, it is called a user evaluation. In social groups, people can like or dislike, respect or disrespect other people in their social groups. The quality of such connections can be further analysed, as a positive connections can have a positive influence on the whole network (one person on social group or society in general) and vice versa. When network connections are not evaluated between the nodes (e.g., all connections are regarded as positive - as they exist), then such a network is defined as an unsigned network. For intrinsically dense unsigned networks where link weights can be observed, the underlying networks may actually be signed networks. The underlying signed network backbones can be extracted using significance filter and vigor filter using open-source software packages in R and Python.

References

See also Signed graph Balance theory

Illustrations

Signed network: Panel F consists of two types of ties: friendship (solid line) and dislike (dashed line). In this case, two actors being friends both dislike a common third (or, similarly, two actors that dislike a common third tend to be friends).
Panel F consists of two types of ties: friendship (solid line) and dislike (dashed line). In this case, two actors being friends both dislike a common third (or, similarly, two actors that dislike a common third tend to be friends).

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Signed network

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Signed network claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Signed network before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Signed network ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Signed network

In research
Signed network appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Signed network in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Signed network is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Social network analysis, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Signed network outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Signed network in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Signed network means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Signed network out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Signed network in simple terms?

In a social network analysis (as in blockmodeling), a positive or a negative 'friendship' can be established between two nodes in a network; this results in a signed network. As social interaction between people can be positive or negative, so can be links between the nodes (representing persons).

Why does Signed network matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Signed network?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Signed network.

Tags

  • Social network analysis

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