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Commentary: Measuring the shape of degree distributions

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  • BADHAM, JENNIFER M.

Abstract

Degree distribution is a fundamental property of networks. While mean degree provides a standard measure of scale, there are several commonly used shape measures. Widespread use of a single shape measure would enable comparisons between networks and facilitate investigations about the relationship between degree distribution properties and other network features. This paper describes five candidate measures of heterogeneity and recommends the Gini coefficient. It has theoretical advantages over many of the previously proposed measures, is meaningful for the broad range of distribution shapes seen in different types of networks, and has several accessible interpretations. While this paper focuses on degree, the distribution of other node-based network properties could also be described with Gini coefficients.

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  • Badham, Jennifer M., 2013. "Commentary: Measuring the shape of degree distributions," Network Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(2), pages 213-225, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:netsci:v:1:y:2013:i:02:p:213-225_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Joshua Becker & Abdullah Almaatouq & EmH{o}ke-'Agnes Horv'at, 2020. "Network Structures of Collective Intelligence: The Contingent Benefits of Group Discussion," Papers 2009.07202, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2021.

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