Information waves on social networks: problematization, definition, distribution mechanisms

The article is devoted to the consideration of the new analytical research concept of information space of social networks – «information waves». The duality of the nature of information waves is emphasized. On the one hand, it is the flow of information units connecting actors, communities, publics, etc. On the other hand, in the basis of such information flows are the social regularities that are often based on the projective manipulative processes counting mass response or managing interactions of actors. Such approach requires special determination of the researched process (information waves) and also intrinsic reviewing of its mechanisms. In the article application-oriented research results of information waves in social networks are given. It is necessary to analyze not only the texts of publications and the structure of their distribution in the network, but also those who disseminate these publications, on the basis of which it will be possible to conclude which types of actors are characteristic for different types of information waves.