Browsing by Author "Shapiro, Sidney"

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Influence and social networks
(2022-01-10) Shapiro, Sidney
Studying large-scale social networks can be a complex and challenging task when considering social media's rapid development. Mapping large networks and studying interactions present barriers in terms of access to data, limitations on analysis, and an approach to identify unseen influencers in the network. This study examines how connections between data points and users in a network can be mapped and understood. This method of mapping connections can allow a researcher to identify influencers within a network and find optimal routes through which content can be distributed to a broad group of connected users. This is accomplished by comparing the role of network groups to that of users. This is done by mapping organizations and connected groups of students on social media networks over time to identify influential network members. The project involves studying several campus and community-based pro-Israel student groups organized into four geographically themed clusters. Data was collected from Twitter using various methods, including Python language code and NodeXL. Once the data was collected and analyzed using network link analysis and statistics for interconnections, visualizations and sociograms were generated using Gephi. Through analyzing network data for users and organizations, network statistics and metrics can be calculated to identify network influencers. The study shows that otherwise unseen influencers can be mapped within a social network and that their relative social influence can be identified. Studying organizations and exponential mapping layers of connected users reveals new connections and patterns. The relative social influence, position, and communication patterns within a network generate new insights into network members. Hidden influencers were identified and show a connection between users and otherwise unknown clusters of the network. The study results show that influencers can be identified and mapped within large and complex networks and that their relative social influence can be quantitatively calculated. This has implications for disseminating information within a network, mapping complex interactions within a social network, and understanding the structural communication pathways of social networks. This approach can be used in market analysis, research, and other social networks.
State and religion: the conflicts of ultra-orthodox jews in Israel.
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-10-08) Shapiro, Sidney
The thesis examines issues of religion and politics in Israel. The thesis is constructed around a critical reading of the literature written on the subject and an indepth first-person interviews with expatriates living in Ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel. After a careful presentation and examination of the various religious groups in Israel and their relationships with the state, the thesis offers a discussion on some of the many difficult issues Israeli society faces over the place of religion. More specifically, it explores the dynamics and processes of inclusion/exclusion of ultra-orthodox communities within / from the Israeli society. It looks at various policy sectors such as military service, housing, education and civil matters to see how the state has tried to find accomodations for Haredi people and how these latter have influenced and informed the ways public policies have been elaborated. It concludes that the historical statu quo on this question is no longer possible as witnessed in the last decade with growing tensions between various segments of the Israeli society. Therefore, the thesis proposes different scenarios to bridge the societal gaps between Haredi communities and the Israeli society.