Ego Citation Networks Considered as Domination Networks

In this article we continue our study of power structures. A dynamic quantitative theory, including the measurement of power or dominance structures is applied to citation networks. A curve somewhat similar to the Lorenz curve for inequality measurement is used. We calculate the D-measure, a normalized measure expressing the degree of dominance in a network. The D-measure of a citation network consisting of the ego (the original article) with n references and m received citations is obtained. When n=m the network is symmetric and the D-measure is 0.5; when the article did not yet receive a citation the D-measure is n/(n+1). When the article has no references then the D-measure is 1/(m+1). A real-world case is described and the evolution of its D-measure over time is shown. Our work is one way of describing an evolving ego-citation network in a quantitative way.