Summary

In this chapter, we introduced demographic factors and how they influence network development through homophily. We also introduced the concepts of hubs and bridges. We then turned to SIR models to show trends and disease spread through social networks based on spreading factors in the differential equation models. We considered two networks: a geographic network of neighboring Francophone countries and the AIMS Cameroon student network with inferred edges based on demographic factors. We then examined the role of R0 on both networks through simulations of epidemics by changing epidemic parameters; this demonstrated that specific conditions are needed for trends or diseases to spread across a network. We’ll revisit these ideas and strategies to influence spreading behavior again in Chapter 8, when we dive into centrality measures in more detail with respect to dynamic network metrics change over time as individuals change their connections with others in the network...