Two-Mode Data

A two-mode network, also known as an affiliation network, depicts relationships that connect entities of two distinct types. Examples are memberships of individuals in groups or participation in events by individuals. This entry describes typical uses of two-mode network data, sources from which they can be drawn, and some common approaches to studying them.

Two-mode network data include two different sets of nodes, one for each type of entity. Following convention, this entry uses the terms actors and events to distinguish between these node sets. All direct relationships in a two-mode network connect nodes that differ in type: neither actors nor events may be directly tied to one another. Ordinarily, however, they are indirectly linked—for example, when two individuals (actors) are co-members of a given group ...