Tools and information sharing

1. Why should researchers use social media?

 Photo by Gerd Altmann, Pixabay

It is important for researchers to adopt social media as a part of their everyday scholarly life. It is not just a way of finding and using information; it is also a way of disseminating research to a wider, global audience; of networking, knowledge sharing and collaborating; and of keeping up to date with the most current developments within the research community. 

Click here for a journal article that discusses how social media can be used by academics.

2. Tools and social network facilities

There are a growing number of good quality information sharing and social networking facilities available. Some focus on particular subjects or disciplines, others have a broader remit.

Use the following criteria to evaluate the content of information sharing and social networking sites:

• Verify the identity of the source of shared information. This can be done by examining the profile page (if this is made public) and confirming the named source of the information.
  
  
• Verify the accuracy and currency of the information displayed on the profile page of the individual, institution, company or library.
  
  
• Investigate if the individual, institution or organisation contributing information has proven expertise in the subjects covered.

Figshare is a tool designed to enable researchers to release all of their research outputs quickly, and in an easily citable, sharable and discoverable manner.

myExperiment makes it easy to find, use and share scientific workflows and other research data.

Methodspace is a multidisciplinary site for those engaged in research methods to network and share research, resources and debates.

ResearchGATE is a free social networking site and collaboration tool aimed at scientific researchers.

VITAE - Researcher Development Framework Planner offers an interactive, straightforward way for researchers to manage their professional development.

ORCID provides a persistent digital identifier that distinguishes you from every other researcher. 

3. Courses and workshops

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See QMUL's research news page to access news about QMUL research.

Visit CAPD courses for a complete listing of all workshops, courses and events planned.