Using Google Analytics to evaluate the impact of the CyberTraining project

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Public Health Research
• Web Analytics

Background:

• Measuring the impact and reach of academic research is crucial for effective dissemination.
• Web 2.0 platforms offer new avenues for delivering health promotion and intervention materials.
• Understanding user geodemographics is key to tailoring and targeting public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of Google Analytics (GA) for assessing academic research impact.
• To analyze the geodemographics of users engaging with Web 2.0-based health content.
• To demonstrate GA's application using data from the EU-funded CyberTraining project.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Google Analytics (GA) to analyze user data and website traffic.
• Applied GA to evaluate the dissemination and impact of a Web-based training manual on cyberbullying.
• Examined geodemographic variations in the uptake of intervention and prevention materials.

Main Results:

• Google Analytics proved effective in measuring the impact of academic research output.
• GA enabled detailed tracking of user engagement and geodemographics for Web-based resources.
• Analysis revealed intra- and intercountry regional variations in the adoption of prevention materials.

Conclusions:

• Google Analytics is a valuable tool for evaluating the impact and reach of academic research.
• GA facilitates understanding user behavior and geodemographics for Web 2.0 health content.
• The findings support precision targeting of public health interventions based on regional uptake data.