Network Report: A Structured Description for Network Datasets

TL;DR

This paper introduces 'network report,' a structured format for describing network datasets to improve transparency, understanding, and responsible use across diverse scientific domains.

Contribution

It proposes a standardized network report format that extends existing dataset reporting practices with network-specific details, enhancing dataset sharing and comprehension.

Findings

Defines the structure and content of network reports

Highlights the importance of transparency in network datasets

Aims to improve dataset sharing and responsible use

Abstract

The rapid development of network science and technologies depends on shareable datasets. Currently, there is no standard practice for reporting and sharing network datasets. Some network dataset providers only share links, while others provide some contexts or basic statistics. As a result, critical information may be unintentionally dropped, and network dataset consumers may misunderstand or overlook critical aspects. Inappropriately using a network dataset can lead to severe consequences (e.g., discrimination) especially when machine learning models on networks are deployed in high-stake domains. Challenges arise as networks are often used across different domains (e.g., network science, physics, etc) and have complex structures. To facilitate the communication between network dataset providers and consumers, we propose network report. A network report is a structured description that summarizes and contextualizes a network dataset. Network report extends the idea of dataset reports (e.g., Datasheets for Datasets) from prior work with network-specific descriptions of the non-i.i.d. nature, demographic information, network characteristics, etc. We hope network reports encourage transparency and accountability in network research and development across different fields.