Semantic networks and social networks

Purpose – To illustrate the need for social network metadata within semantic metadata. Design/methodology/approach – Surveys properties of social networks and the semantic web, suggests that social network analysis applies to semantic content, argues that semantic content is more searchable if social network metadata is merged with semantic web metadata. Findings – The use of social network metadata will alter semantical searches from being random with respect to source to direct with respect to source, which will increase the accuracy of search results. Research limitations/implications – Suggests that existing XML schemas for semantic web content be modified. Practical implications – Introduction and overview of a new issue. Originality/value – Foundational to the concept of the semantic social network; will be useful as an introduction to future work.