CARLEY TECHNOLOGIES, INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: Our objective is to provide a semi-automated system to generate and verify scalable, high

Description

Our objective is to provide a semi-automated system to generate and verify scalable, high fidelity, multi-dimensional, social networks with realistic distributional, temporal and spatial characteristics. This will enable the user to generate networks varying in size, node attributes, geo-temporal characteristics, consistency with other networks, and reflection of known subpopulations, in formats used by standard network analytic packages. Generative algorithms will be informed by empirical data and theoretical findings about network generation. We build synthetic networks using a multi-algorithm approach employing subpopulation identification, empirical seeding, constraint satisfaction, and multi-network alignment. Synthesized networks are compared against real networks varying in size, media usage, and activities conducted by network members. Veridicality is assessed on multiple dimensions; network density, distribution of centrality measures, temporal characteristics, spatial characteristics, and evolutionary properties. Deltas between temporal slices will be validated for key actors and topologies at both the subpopulation level and overall network level. Each aspect will be compared to corresponding measurements in known networks at the node, group, motif, and topology levels. A secondary feature of the proposed system will be the ability to layer onto the synthetic network hidden covert networks or purposive networks designed to accomplish some task.