Key nodes evaluation with multi-criteria in complex networks based on AHP analysis

Abstract

This article puts forward a new multi-criteria ranking method using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis to evaluate key nodes in complex networks. As is well known, most of existing methods of ranking key nodes only consider one factor (e.g. betweenness, degree), but not the integration of multiple factors in evaluating important nodes, so those methods each have a limited application range. In addition, because different factors are different contribution on nodes importance, then how to determine the contribution ratio is the key problem. So in this study, AHP method is used to get the best scenario by pairwise comparison with each factor and comprehensive evaluation. Experiment results show that the algorithm has a good and effective value.