By analyzing 13-month longitudinal digital trace data, we examined why some people have larger discussion networks than others and which communication and relational characteristics contribute to the evolution of discussion network ties. Implementing a network analysis, we found that an online forum’s structural qualities tended to become stable over time. Discussants’ average network size was 4.6, and discussants retained one out of five members after more than one year. Those who had larger networks tended to participate in more conversations rather than staying longer or showing up more frequently. One’s reputation or potential political heterogeneity from the general consensus of the forum did not influence one’s network size. Reciprocity and popularity contributed to the maintenance or creation of discussion ties.

中文翻译：

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在线政治讨论论坛的纵向变化：讨论网络规模和演变的前提

通过分析13个月的纵向数字跟踪数据，我们研究了为什么有些人的讨论网络比其他人更大，以及哪些沟通和关系特征有助于讨论网络联系的发展。进行网络分析后，我们发现在线论坛的结构质量随着时间的推移趋于稳定。讨论者的平均网络规模为4.6，讨论者在超过一年后保留了五分之一的成员。拥有较大网络的人倾向于参加更多的对话，而不是停留时间更长或更频繁地出现。从论坛的普遍共识来看，一个人的声誉或潜在的政治异质性不会影响一个人的网络规模。互惠互助有助于保持或建立讨论联系。