Scholars	Research objects	Stage classification	Stage types	Basis for classification
Wang Laihua	Network public opinion	Generation → Diffusion → Recession	3 stages	/
Chen Yuesheng	Network public opinion of emergencies	Generation → Diffusion → Recession		/
Shi Bo	Network public opinion of Public Crisis	Generation → Development (Action/variation) → End		/
Xu Jinghong	Network public opinion on unconventional emergencies	Generation → Dissemination → Aggregation		Life cycle theory
Fang Fujian	Network public opinion	Inoculation → Diffusion → Change → Recession	4 stages	Life cycle theory
Liu Yi	Network public opinion	Fluctuation → Sequential change → Conflict → Recession		/
Jiang Shenghong	Network public opinion hotspots	Initiation → Sustainable development → Fluctuated diffusion → Recession and desalination		The development of the event itself, netizens’ emotions and other factors
Cao Jinsong	Network public opinion	Dissemination → Aggregation → Heated discussion → Popularization		/
Wang Kequn	Interaction of network public opinion with real society	Generation → Rise → Fluctuation → Recession		/
Yu Lian	Network public opinion	Gestation → Outbreak → Spread → Transition → Dormancy	5 stages	Life cycle theory
Xie Kefan	Network public opinion	Incubation → Germination → Acceleration → Maturity → Recession		Life cycle theory
Gu Mingyi	Network information	Early dissemination → Social informed period → Social expression period → Social action period → Media memorial period		The participatory experience theory in the frontier of communication science
Ma Yinghong	Network public opinion	Issue occurrence → Information loss → Information search → Public opinion formation → Public opinion guidance → Public opinion decline	6 stages	/
Yu Guoming	Public opinion hotspots	Incident occurrence → Internet disclosure → Traditional media reporting → Internet media sensationalization → Impose pressure by public opinion → Intervention → Appeasing of public opinion	7 stages	/