Connectivity Matrix

The network on the above figure can be represented as a connectivity matrix, which is rather simple to construct:

• Size of the connectivity matrix: involves a number of rows and cells equivalent to the number of nodes in the network. Since the above network has 5 nodes, its connectivity matrix is a five by five grid.
• Connection: Each cell representing a connection between two nodes receives a value of 1 (e.g. Cell B - A).
• Non-connection: Each cell that does not represent a direct connection gets a value of 0 (e.g. Cell D - E).
• If all connections in the network are bi-directional (a movement is possible from node C to node D and vice-versa), the connectivity matrix is transposable.

Adding up a row or a column gives the degree of a node. Node C is obviously to most connected since it has the highest summation of connectivity comparatively to all other nodes. However, this assumption may not hold true on a more complex network because of a larger number of indirect paths which are not considered in the connectivity matrix.

Home | Contents | Media | Glossary | Links | About | Contact | Purchase

Copyright © 1998-2012, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University, New York, USA.
This material (including graphics) cannot be copied or redistributed, in whole or in part, in ANY FORM (printed or electronic) and on ANY MEDIA. For specific uses permission MUST be requested and the material must be cited.