`nwdichotomize`

Dichotomize a network at a threshold (built on nwrecode)

Syntax

nwdichotomize
netlist
,
threshold(#)
[generate(newnetlist) prefix(str)]


`threshold(#)`	cutoff value; dyads with a value >= # become 1, all others become 0
`generate(newnetlist)`	save the dichotomized network(s) under new name(s); default is to replace the original network(s) in place
`prefix(str)`	generate new networks with str prefix, instead of replacing in place

Description

nwdichotomize converts a valued (weighted) network into a binary one: any dyad whose value is greater than or equal to threshold() becomes 1, every other dyad (including missing ties) becomes 0. It is a thin convenience wrapper around nwrecode - internally it is exactly equivalent to

. nwrecode netname (threshold/max=1) (min/max=0)
- given its own name specifically so the common “binarize at a cutoff” operation does not require
knowing nwrecode’s own general recode-rule syntax. For anything beyond a single cutoff
(multiple bands, missing-value handling, etc.), use nwrecode directly.

As with nwrecode (and following the package’s general convention - see the style guide’s “Output creation” section - for commands where in-place modification is the default), the network is dichotomized in place unless generate() or prefix() is specified, in which case the original is left untouched and the result is saved under a new name instead.

Examples

Build a small valued trade network (export values between three countries), then dichotomize it at 100, in place:

. clear
. mata: M = (0,150,40 \ 90,0,220 \ 60,30,0)
. nwset, mat(M) name(trade) directed labs(A,B,C)
. nwdichotomize trade, threshold(100)

Same, but keep the original valued network and save the binary version under a new name:

. nwdichotomize trade, threshold(100) generate(trade_binary)

last certified : 28 Aug 2026

Supported network types

Binary: yes (a no-op - every value is already either 0 or 1, so threshold(1) leaves it unchanged). Directed: yes. Weighted: yes - this is its primary use case. Signed: not checked - a negative value below threshold() is treated the same as any other sub-threshold value. Two-mode: not checked directly, but inherits whatever nwrecode/nwtoedge support for two-mode data.