Evaluating Recommendation Algorithms by Graph Analysis

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We present a novel framework for evaluating recommendation algorithms in terms of the `jumps' that they make to connect people to artifacts. This approach emphasizes reachability via an algorithm within the implicit graph structure underlying a recommender dataset, and serves as a complement to evaluation in terms of predictive accuracy. The framework allows us to consider questions relating algorithmic parameters to properties of the datasets. For instance, given a particular algorithm `jump,' what is the average path length from a person to an artifact? Or, what choices of minimum ratings and jumps maintain a connected graph? We illustrate the approach with a common jump called the `hammock' using movie recommender datasets.