%0 Journal Article %J IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics %D 2006 %T Balancing Systematic and Flexible Exploration of Social Networks %A Perer,A. %A Shneiderman, Ben %K Aggregates %K algorithms %K attribute ranking %K Cluster Analysis %K Computer Graphics %K Computer simulation %K Coordinate measuring machines %K coordinated views %K Data analysis %K data visualisation %K Data visualization %K exploratory data analysis %K Filters %K Gain measurement %K graph theory %K Graphical user interfaces %K Information Storage and Retrieval %K interactive graph visualization %K matrix algebra %K matrix overview %K Models, Biological %K Navigation %K network visualization %K Pattern analysis %K Population Dynamics %K Social Behavior %K social network analysis %K Social network services %K social networks %K social sciences computing %K Social Support %K SocialAction %K software %K statistical analysis %K statistical methods %K User-Computer Interface %X Social network analysis (SNA) has emerged as a powerful method for understanding the importance of relationships in networks. However, interactive exploration of networks is currently challenging because: (1) it is difficult to find patterns and comprehend the structure of networks with many nodes and links, and (2) current systems are often a medley of statistical methods and overwhelming visual output which leaves many analysts uncertain about how to explore in an orderly manner. This results in exploration that is largely opportunistic. Our contributions are techniques to help structural analysts understand social networks more effectively. We present SocialAction, a system that uses attribute ranking and coordinated views to help users systematically examine numerous SNA measures. Users can (1) flexibly iterate through visualizations of measures to gain an overview, filter nodes, and find outliers, (2) aggregate networks using link structure, find cohesive subgroups, and focus on communities of interest, and (3) untangle networks by viewing different link types separately, or find patterns across different link types using a matrix overview. For each operation, a stable node layout is maintained in the network visualization so users can make comparisons. SocialAction offers analysts a strategy beyond opportunism, as it provides systematic, yet flexible, techniques for exploring social networks %B IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics %V 12 %P 693 - 700 %8 2006/10//Sept %@ 1077-2626 %G eng %N 5 %R 10.1109/TVCG.2006.122