# Association Matrix **Entity class:** Analytical representation **Domain:** Intelligence analysis / network mapping **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition An **association matrix** is a table whose rows and columns represent entities and whose cells encode a relationship, interaction count, strength, date, or confidence. It converts narrative reporting into a structure that can be compared, filtered, or transformed into a graph. Analysts use matrices to expose clusters, isolated actors, recurring co-occurrence, and missing information. The matrix must preserve relationship type: shared address, communication, kinship, transaction, and organizational membership are not interchangeable edges. ## Relationships - **representation for:** [[wiki/Link Analysis|Link Analysis]]. - **mathematical input to:** [[wiki/Social Network Analysis|Social Network Analysis]] and [[wiki/Graph Analytics|Graph Analytics]]. - **requires:** [[wiki/Entity Resolution|Entity Resolution]] and provenance. - **used within:** [[wiki/Counterterrorism Intelligence|Counterterrorism Intelligence]]. ## Sources / Provenance - [Oxford Journal of Conflict and Security Law — social-network analysis in counterterrorism](https://academic.oup.com/jcsl/article/29/1/165/7603867)