signnet: An R package for analyzing signed networks

David Schoch

2023-01-27

Abstract

Network analysis usually deals with relations among entities which are positive, such as friendship, or advice seeking. Most analytic tools are constructed with this assumption, be that centrality indices, or clustering tools. However, not all conceivable relationships are positive. People can be friends but also enemies. A signed network is a network where both, positive and negative relationships may occur. Common network analytic tools are not applicable to such networks without adapting for the existence of negative ties. The R package signnet brings together methods that have been developed to analyze signed networks. This includes known blockmodeling techniques, centrality indices and tools for two-mode networks, as well as unique analytic techniques surrounding structural balance theory.

Journal of Open Source Software 8 (81), 4987