Bi-objective model for community detection in weighted complex networks

Abstract

In this study, we introduce an innovative approach that utilizes complex networks and the k_core method to address community detection in weighted networks. Our proposed bi-objective model aims to simultaneously discover non-overlapping communities while ensuring that the degree of similarity remains below a critical threshold to prevent network degradation. We leverage the k_core structure to detect tightly interconnected node groups, a concept particularly valuable in edge-weighted networks where different edge weights indicate the strength or importance of node relationships. Beyond maximizing the count of k_core communities, our model seeks a homogeneous weight distribution across edges within these communities, promoting stronger cohesion. To tackle this challenge, we implement two multi-target algorithms: Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGAII) and a Multi-Objective Simulated Annealing (MOSA) algorithm. Both algorithms efficiently identify non-overlapping communities with a specified degree 'k'. The results of our experiments reveal a trade-off between maximizing the number of k_core communities and enhancing the homogeneity of these communities in terms of their minimum weighted interconnections. Notably, the MOSA algorithm outperforms NSGAII in both small and large instances, demonstrating its effectiveness in achieving this balance. This approach sheds light on effective strategies for resolving conflicting goals in community detection within weighted networks.