力导引布局算法是社会网络信息可视化领域的主流布局算法,但却在结构分析显示方面存在缺陷.产生的图像经常是节点聚集在屏幕中央,难以分辨结构信息.因此,提出了子群分析布局SAL(subgroup analysis layout)算法来解决这一问题.该算法通过角色分析和关键属性分析,对社会网络中的子群进行划分与分析,然后根据子群分析结果对力导引布局算法加以改进,包括2D 和3D 可视化.以对恐怖组织信息进行分析作为实例,也验证了SAL 算法在社会网络结构分析与显示方面具有一定的优越性.

In information visualization of social networks, force directed layout algorithms, which enable the creation of node-link diagrams of huge-graphs, are the most popular, however, they are not quite suitable for structural analysis and visualization which often produce images where nodes clump together in the center of the screen, making it hard to discern structural features. This paper proposes a Subgroup Analysis Layout (SAL) algorithm to solve this problem, which plots out and analyses the subgroups in social networks through the analysis of roles and key attributes. Then, the results of subgroup analysis are used to improve the force directed layout algorithm in both 2D and 3D visualization. Results with the case of terrorist organization information show that SAL algorithm can be excellent in analyzing and displaying the structure of social network.

国家高技术研究发展计划(863)(2006AA01Z451, 2007AA01Z474, 2007AA010502)