The ins and outs of visualizing social networks.

1. Layout

The layout of a network diagram refers to the position of the points in the diagram.

好的layout可以避免错觉、讲好故事。三种设置layout的基本思路：

1. attribute-based scatter plotting
2. scaling methods
3. graph layout algorithms

1.1 Layout based on node attributes

Continuous attributes

• 普通的scatter + draw lines between the points to represent ties.

• 如果两个attributes确实影响who is tied with whom，这张图就会显示出来。

  

  Dataset: Krack-high-tect (advice)

  • 箭头大多从左到右：倾向于向年长的人寻求建议
  • 箭头大多从下到上：倾向于向职级高的人寻求建议

Categorical attributes

• The points within the same group will be placed near each other.
• 可以揭示whether ties are primarily within groups、which groups have the most connections……

geographical distance

• Points are positioned based on their geographical location.
• It may work when geographic distance matters for building connections.

1.2 Layout using ordination/scaling methods(e.g. MDS)