Working paper
The Diffusion of User Roles via Social Networks in Online Health Communities
SSRN
12/05/2016
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.2880793
Abstract
As a major source of social support for people with health problems, Online Health Communities (OHCs) have attracted a great number of members. Using text mining and unsupervised machine learning techniques, we revealed that users of a popular breast cancer OHC play different roles in social support activities. A role transition network was constructed to illustrate how users’ roles change over time. We also found evidence for role diffusion via social ties -- users tend to adopt roles of their network neighbors. The comparison of how users’ roles spread among users suggests that some roles are more viral that others. Our findings provide a better understanding of dynamics in users’ roles, which could greatly help managing an active and successful OHC.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Diffusion of User Roles via Social Networks in Online Health Communities
- Creators
- Xi Wang - University of IowaKang Zhao - University of IowaGautam Pant - University of IowaJohn Rios
- Resource Type
- Working paper
- Publisher
- SSRN
- DOI
- 10.2139/ssrn.2880793
- Number of pages
- 16 pages
- Language
- English
- Date posted
- 12/05/2016
- Academic Unit
- Business Analytics; Center for Evaluation and Assessment
- Record Identifier
- 9984380410502771
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