Survey on opinions and usage patterns for the ResearchGate platform.
1Central Library, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
Plos One
|October 6, 2018
Summary
This study surveyed 695 scientists about their use of ResearchGate, a professional networking site. Participant origin significantly impacts how scientists use ResearchGate and perceive its value.
Area of Science:
- Scientific communication
- Social networking for researchers
- Digital platforms in academia
Background:
- ResearchGate is a prominent social networking site for scientists and researchers.
- Understanding user engagement and perceptions is crucial for platform development and academic community building.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate scientists' opinions and usage patterns on ResearchGate.
- To determine the influence of demographic and disciplinary factors on ResearchGate utilization.
- To assess the perceived value and future intentions regarding the platform.
Main Methods:
- Online survey with 19 questions administered to 695 scientists.
- Participants from physics, biology, medicine, and neuroscience disciplines.
- Analysis of time/effort spent, perceived value, social influences, future plans, and the role of the RG score.
Main Results:
- Participant origin was a decisive factor in responses for many questions.
- Age, sex, and scientific discipline also showed considerable influence on over 25% of the questions.
- Usage patterns, perceived value, and the importance of the RG score varied across demographics.
Conclusions:
- Demographic factors, particularly origin, significantly shape scientists' engagement with ResearchGate.
- The platform's utility and perceived value are not uniform across the scientific community.
- Future research should explore tailored engagement strategies based on user demographics and disciplines.
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