# Structural differences between open and direct communication in an online community

**Authors:** Fariba Karimi, Verónica C. Ramenzoni, Petter Holme  
**arXiv:** [1407.8041](https://arxiv.org/abs/1407.8041)  
**Date:** 2014-07-30  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1407.8041v1/

## Key points

- The study investigates structural differences between open and direct communication in an online community
- The dataset includes both types of channels and comprises 36,492 users of a movie discussion community
- Significant differences were found in the way users communicate in the two channels, as reflected in the shape of degree- and interevent time distributions
- The open communication channel is designed to facilitate conversations with any member and shows a broader degree distribution, while the direct channel is presumably preferred for closer communication with shorter response times in dialogues
- Despite these differences, there are common patterns observed on a more coarse-grained level in both networks
- These differences and overlaps between communication networks provide a unique window into how social and structural aspects of communication establish and evolve
- This study sheds light on how different modes of online communication can impact social organization within an online community
- It highlights the importance of understanding these nuances when designing platforms for effective online collaboration and engagement.

## Summary

The study by Fariba Karimi, Verónica C. Ramenzoni, and Petter Holme investigates the structural differences between open and direct communication in an online community. While most research on online communication focuses on either open or direct modes of communication, this study examines a dataset that includes both types of channels. The data comprises 36,492 users of a movie discussion community, and the findings are related to theories of social organization and human dynamics. The results show that there are significant differences in the way users communicate in the two channels, as reflected in the shape of degree- and interevent time distributions. The open communication channel is designed to facilitate conversations with any member and shows a broader degree distribution. Additionally, more triangles in the network are primarily formed through this mode of communication. On the other hand, the direct channel is presumably preferred for closer communication with shorter response times in dialogues. However, despite these differences there are common patterns observed on a more coarse-grained level in both networks. These differences and overlaps between communication networks provide a unique window into how social and structural aspects of communication establish and evolve. Overall, this study sheds light on how different modes of online communication can impact social organization within an online community. It highlights the importance of understanding these nuances when designing platforms for effective online collaboration and engagement.