Community Detection in Modular Complex Networks Using an Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

Abstract

     Community detection is an important and interesting topic for better understanding and analyzing complex network structures. Detecting hidden partitions in complex networks is proven to be an NP-hard problem that may not be accurately resolved using traditional methods. So it is solved using evolutionary computation methods and modeled in the literature as an optimization problem.  In recent years, many researchers have directed their research efforts toward addressing the problem of community structure detection by developing different algorithms and making use of single-objective optimization methods. In this study, we have continued that research line by improving the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm using a local improvement operator to effectively discover community structure in the modular complex networks when employing the modularity density metric as a single-objective function. The framework of the proposed algorithm consists of three main steps: an initialization strategy, a movement strategy based on perturbation genetic operators, and an improvement operator. The key idea behind the improvement operator is to determine and reassign the complex network nodes that are located in the wrong communities if the majority of their topological links do not belong to their current communities, making it appear that these nodes belong to another community. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been tested and evaluated when applied to publicly-available modular complex networks generated using a flexible and simple benchmark generator. The experimental results showed the effectiveness of the suggested method in discovering community structure over modular networks of different complexities and sizes.