The article substantiates the importance of social network research. We have obtained data about the records in social networks and the number of record views. The process of estimating the parameters of the SIR models and the cellular automaton is constructed. The article considers several types of epidemic models and a cellular automaton for describing the process of information dissemination. We have carried out simulation modeling of the process of information dissemination in social networks. In the course of the study, the graphs reflecting the results of modeling were created. As a result, we have presented the best variant from the models. It is a model of adaptive-imitative behavior that is the most accurate in describing the diffusion of information in social networks.

Citation: Gorkovenko D.K. Comparison of epidemic models and cellular automata in modeling of diffusion of information in socal. St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University Journal. Computer Science. Telecommunications and Control Systems. 2017, Vol. 10, No. 3, Pp. 103–113. DOI: 10.18721/JCSTCS.10309