A Conceptual Model for Computational Evaluation of Influence Operations in Online Social Networks

Influence operations are considered as one of the types of information operations along with cyber network operations and electronic warfare operations. The spread of online social networks has provided a suitable platform for influence operations. Therefore, it is essential to be able to evaluate influence operations in online social networks. The ability to evaluate influence operation requires the existence of a conceptual model that is connected to a consistent theoretical structure on the one hand, and has the ability to be implemented computationally on the other hand. The aim of this article is to present a conceptual model that provides a basis for computational modeling to evaluate influence operations in online social networks. In this article, after an in-depth and exploratory study in the research literature, using the meta-combination method and interviews with experts, the theoretical framework of cyber cognitive power and the characteristics, concepts, dimensions and components of the conceptual model are presented. Two-step Delphi method was used to evaluate the validity of the presented model. The proposed model was confirmed in terms of validity and reliability and based on the Delphi method, it was agreed by more than eighty percent. In this research, a new conceptual formulation for influence operations in online social networks based on the conceptualization of cognitive capital and cyber cognitive power is presented. The proposed conceptual model, which is presented descriptively, has provided the possibility to evaluate the success indicators of the influence operation. The advantage of the proposed conceptual model is that it evaluates influence operation based on the concept of power and provides computational evaluation of influence operation. Also, this model provides the possibility to identify and detect influence operations in online social networks.