This paper discusses how design of social interactions in conjuction with media affects network formations. Examples are from small online learning groups. Haythornthwaite, C. (2002). Strong, weak and latent ties and the impact of new media. The Information Society, 18(5), 385 - 401. This one extends this to consider effects on and of the Internet as a whole. Haythornthwaite, C. (2005). Social networks and Internet connectivity effects. Information, Communication & Society, 8(2), 125-147. /Caroline ---- Original message ----

Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 10:41:08 +0100 From: "Tom Shelley" <tom@projectredstripe.com> Subject: [Air-l] I'm researching virality in social networks : suggested papers? To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to research virality and social architecture in social networks. If you could point me towards some papers that deal with these topics I'd be very grateful.

Some of the areas that interest me are as the following :

How does social design affect the spread of social networks? If there were a paper with great real world examples that would be perfect.

What specific features can help hinder the spread of a social network?

How different invitation models effect the spread of a social network, and the subsequent community development? aSmallWorld vs MySpace vs college- only Facebook.

Can a rapid spreading site destroy the original community?

How to create a truly social space as opposed to YASN?

These are issues that are clearly very important and I'd love to find some great research on them.

Thanks a lot ,

Tom _______________________________________________ The air-l@listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: http://listserv.aoir.org/ listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org

Join the Association of Internet Researchers: http://www.aoir.org/

---------------------------------------- Caroline Haythornthwaite Associate Professor Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 501 East Daniel St., Champaign IL 61820