A perfect place to pick-up arguments for why scientists should be on social media

‘An Introduction to Social Media for Scientists‘. I have wanted to mention this article published in PLOS Biology ever since it came out in April 2013, but somehow never got around to it. But as I reread it earlier this week, I was reminded how this article must be mentioned on a blog like mine. An Introduction to Social Media for Scientists is written by Holly M. Bik and Miriam C. Goldstein from University of California Davis and University of California San Diego and is an excellent place to start for researchers considering trying out social media or for enthusiasts of social media for science communication who are in search of good arguments they can use to persuade others of why they must set up a Twitter account, start blogging or establish some other form of online presence. Research Benefits and flowcharts Supported by lots of examples (with links provided to many of them!) the authors list a number of ways in which social media can benefit both the scientist and the scientific work. In short form these are: How online tools can help improve research efficiency; How being visible on social media helps track and improve scientific metrics; How social media enhances professional networking; and How online interactions have the potential to enhance ‘‘broader impacts’’ by improving communication between scientists and the general public. They go on to address different kinds of social media and how they can be used, and provide advice to ...
Source: Biomedicine on Display - Category: Medical Scientists Authors: Tags: public health science communication benefits blogs Facebook guide guidelines Holly M. Bik improving communication Miriam C. Goldstein PloS PLOS Biology professional networking research communication research efficiency science Source Type: blogs