Procedures for analyses of online communities

This article details a set of procedures for the analysis and interpretation of the content and structure of online networks and communities. These novel methods allow for the analysis of online chat, including parsing the data into separate and interrelated files to determine individual, group and organizational patterns. An illustrative example of an educational online community in Active Worlds Educational Universe (AWEDU) is provided that uses three-dimensional virtual worlds for student interaction. Findings from semantic network analysis procedures reveal elements of the online interaction that would otherwise be difficult to extract given the great amount of textual data produced in such communities. The case study allows for qualitative and quantitative analyses. The limitations of the procedures are discussed along with planned developments and their social implications.