'Use of social media for research purposes'

 

#phdchat tweet log - 22nd June 2011

 

@sarahthesheepu - welcome to tonight's #phdchat @NSRiazat has invited me to host this chat on using social media in research so here goes ...

@Tidewater7 - @sarahthesheepu: welcome to tonight's #phdchat @NSRiazat has invited me to host this chat on using social media ... Thanks for hosting!

@rjhogue - I'll be lurking in and out today as I need to get some writing done - @sarahthesheepu thanks for hosting #phdchat

@LBA_OX12 - Lurking as well #phdchat

@lizgloyn - Hi there #phdchat-ters! Looking forward to another good conversation, hosted today by @sarahthesheepu, on social media and research.

@ClaretCarly - Add me to the lurker list as well, whilst I input some of this weeks data :-) #phdchat

@lizith - Probably joining the lurkers this evening - trying to get some work finished #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - I was seen 2 be very weird when I used #sm in my research that was in 2005:6 I hope it's netter now? #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @sarahthesheepu Can you explain how you used #sm in your research so we get an idea what you mean? #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - I will archive tweets from tonights #phdchat to put in the wiki & create a post for http://bit.ly/iEKjQx

@rjhogue - Wondering about ethical issue with SM in research - are there privacy issues? #phdchat

@Tidewater7 - @sarahthesheepu: I was seen 2 be very weird when I used #sm in my... #phdchat Sounds like you are an innovator & early adopter. Kudos!

@ai1sa - kia ora , hi from nz #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @lizgloyn basically I used my web site as a field site to conduct research online interviews etc using web technology #phdchat

@scottwdavis - Participating in #phdchat was my first foray into combining social media + research.

@lizgloyn - #phdchat How are other people using social media in their research? To carry out research, to share research, to build community?

@sarahthesheepu - @Tidewater7 thanks I hope so thus I developed www.networkedresearcher.co.uk #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @rjhogue there are u have to think about data protection. Tech still evolving so nobody sure best practice #phdchat

@ai1sa - Ive been studying use of emergent technologies in counselling- is a study into change, and sepcifically of txt messaging #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @rjhogue I'd guess it'd depend on the kind of data you wanted to collect - what did you have in mind? #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @lizgloyn I'm interested in whether the maj of people use it to promote research or collect data? #phdchat

@scottwdavis - Through Twitter, hooked up with a company & we're looking into joint research. Also met PhD student & we're starting a project. #phdchat

@ai1sa - my data protection included deidentification and obscurification- so no data even with future technologies could be re-located #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @sarahthesheepu @lizgloyn - like the idea of using own website for conducting online interviews. #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @lizgloyn - I use it to network and to build a #phdchat community.

@lizith - @lizgloyn I see participation here as community building #phdchat

@rjhogue - @lizgloyn @rjhogue I'm thinking about public comments on a mobile web application I'm creating #phdchat

@hummingbird604 - I used Twitter to find scholars in research fields like mine or simply interested in discussing research on social media #PhDChat

@rjhogue - @lizgloyn but really that is just a random idea, not really anything concrete yet. #phdchat

@Lemness - @NSRiazat @sarahthesheepu @lizgloyn but is ur website social media #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @NSRiazat @lizgloyn was good got to speak to more people than would otherwise as everyone was globally dispersed #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @Lemness Good point - what *is* social media? Fairly sure we'd all say Twitter and Facebook, but where does the line get drawn? #phdchat

@Lemness - @NSRiazat @lizgloyn i used it in the same way. It helps that some in #phdchat have similar studies.

@OKLibrarian - Our PhD cohort (all f/t HEd admins) uses a FB group as a Grad Lounge to hang out, post silly comments, and blow off steam. #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @rjhogue Interesting. W/public comments, guess you could have a 'please tick this box to allow me to use comments' 2 cover that end #phdchat

@lizith - #phdchat I used a wiki to get feedback on some diagrams I was developing

@sarahthesheepu - @Lemness @NSRiazat @lizgloyn I had a blog and social tools to build a virtual research enviro new site will develop same #phdchat

@JeffreyKeefer - @lizith racing back so I can join at least for a visit #phdchat

@Lemness - @lizgloyn right. Youtube has some social aspects to it. Actually, to my earlier website comment, its easy to integrate sm into it. #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @Lemness I know I use Twitter etc. to publicise the stuff that goes on my prof!blog, tho wouldn't call blog itself social media #phdchat

@Lemness - @lizgloyn i change my mind about that. With social media integration, it can become social. #phdchat

@SarahStewart - Hello everyone been a while since I have been able to pop into #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @lizith Who did you ask for feedback? #phdchat

@lizith - #phdchat I would like to have used material from a forum, but the confidentiality and permissions proved too problematic

@Lemness - @OKLibrarian as long as ur institution doesnt see it right? People lose their jobs over that stuff. #phdchat.

@merry30 - I'm using soc.media to promote 1st data collection - online quest'aire. Variety of ways & places - via indiv.s and on online comms #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @lizgloyn @Lemness u can say same about trad social research methods I think anything that facilitates interaction with research #phdchat

@SarahStewart - I use social media for getting help, asking advice, brainstorming for my #EdD #phdchat

@lizith - @lizgloyn people with knowledge and expertise in the area - I had access to a course cohort at other uni and various professionals #phdchat

@Lemness - @SarahStewart have any of u had real world interactions w anyone on #phdchat? It starts here and leads to ftf interactions. Thats good.

@lizgloyn - @lizith So using SM to facilitate long-distance collaboration and feedback? #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - I see people are using it more for promotion than data collection I think ethical issues put people off #phdchat

@lizith - @Lemness material as in themes and comments and concerns #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @Lemness @SarahStewart Totally agree - face to face interactions with the #NYC #phdchat drinks ppl has been great socially & intellectually!

@lizith - @lizgloyn yes - and to reach people I couldn't otherwise have realistically consulted #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @Lemness @SarahStewart I've met quite a few #phdchat ers great

@OKLibrarian - @Lemness It's locked, private, and unfindable in search... but we are still reasonably discreet. ;-) #phdchat

@emeslea - Planning on using social media in my public opinion and political behavior research #phdchat How does social media affect voting behavior?

@lizgloyn - @sarahthesheepu Think it's also a disciplinary issues; not sure how I would collect data on Seneca via social media! #phdchat

@SarahStewart - @Lemness I've had one-to-one Skype interactions as a result of #phdchat but no F2F meet-ups yet

@scottwdavis - Social media will be a force in academia when more elite researchers, journal editors, and peer reviewers start using it. #phdchat

@DraycottMC - so anyone about tonight #phdchat I'm putting in a quick hours work but interested to contribute to any debates

@LBA_OX12 - using SM to get to know other PhDers & learn from them - we're not alone! #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @lizgloyn mine was on capacity development in Africa it lends itself to social science. #phdchat

@SarahStewart - @Lemness @lizgloyn @sarahthesheepu Going to UK (& hopefully USA) next year so hope to meet up with #phdchat ers then

@Lemness - @SarahStewart me too. it led to great interaction and it was helpful. #phdchat.

@lizgloyn - @scottwdavis What difference would you see participation at that level making? #phdchat

@JeffreyKeefer - @SarahStewart Can't wait! @Lemness @lizgloyn @sarahthesheepu #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @scottwdavis I'm now expanding my work with my dept and central uni to get everyone involved #phdchat

@ClaretCarly - @LBA_OX12 Same here. I also have a blog hosted by Uni's Virtual Doctoral School. So promotion of research & community for me #phdchat

@lizgloyn - Do we count academia.edu as social media? #phdchat

@ASBO_Allstar - @ClaretCarly how have you found the VDS system? I've been toying with the idea, but wanted to speak to a user for a frank opinion #phdchat

@JeffreyKeefer - @lizgloyn All of the above, as well as to generate ideas and feedback about research, as well as point to additional resources #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @ClaretCarly @LBA_OX12 see Salford have a good idea. #phdchat LSE have many blogs now #phdchat

@SarahStewart - @JeffreyKeefer Will have to start planning trip to include NY :) #phdchat

@JeffreyKeefer - @aeratcliffe Seems like a great session. Will look forward to your 19 new colleagues engaging with #phdchat

@lizgloyn - My social media use, mainly via Twitter, is about participating in scholarly community and broadening my research horizons. #phdchat

@scottwdavis - @lizgloyn Participation in social media makes people and their thoughts more accessible. #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @lizgloyn - don't see Academia.edu as social media as it's not 'interactive' like others such as #phdchat?

@ai1sa - my study also includd youth counselling org. using fb, bebo, & dicuss board...but these barely used by young people 4 counsellng #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @scottwdavis Agreed - but what difference does that make to journal editors & peer reviewers? Doesn't improve a submitted article #phdchat

@ai1sa - @scottwdavis yes and therefore selective use for selected purposes. Some things pref absent presence #phdchat

@Eingang - @lizgloyn I don't feel very social on academia.edu. Not sure about others. Same is true for LinkedIn, actually. #phdchat

@Lemness - Can someone define how we're using the term Social Media for this conversation? #phdchat

@julialeventon - Hi - sorry, I'm a little late, but catching up on the conversations in #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - So would be interested to know what people would like to see from www.networkedresearcher.co.uk #phdchat

@ai1sa - is social media anything that mediates my social presence? #phdchat

@SarahStewart - I'm going to be interested to see what PBRF 2012 ( govt research funding) thinks about my social media research activity #phdchat

@ClaretCarly - @ASBO_Allstar Only really used the blog so far but u can interact with other users as well - send msgs & friend requests #phdchat

@scottwdavis - @lizgloyn Doesn't improve a single article, but can add more transparency to processes. Exchange should improve articles overall. #phdchat

@lizgloyn - Broadly, I think! RT @Lemness: Can someone define how we're using the term Social Media for this conversation? #phdchat

@SarahStewart - Wondering if I get PBRF brownie points for blog etc in 2012 #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @water_rat72 I had this issue because my work was on Africa u can argue it excludes certain populations #phdchat

@JeffreyKeefer - @Eingang @lizgloyn I agree. I like academia.edu, though seems like just a place to post CVs. LinkedIn seems all about resumes #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @scottwdavis Mmm, but that's more about having good community/peer group b4 submission. I worry abt damaging anonymous peer review #phdchat

@AndreaZellner - So sad to miss the awesome topic today in #phdchat: I'm in Phd class :(

@SarahStewart - Get a lot of research feedback from Twitter & blog #phdchat

@OwhyOwhy - I didn't think of LinkedIn as SM but others since told me it is, with groups etc, so maybe Academia.edu has same potential? #phdchat

@Lemness - @lizgloyn Thank you. #phdchat.

@julialeventon - @Lemness seems also to be split between 1) as a research tool and 2) as a way of facilitating presence in the research community. #phdchat

@ASBO_Allstar - @ClaretCarly once I get some time I think I'll give it a whirl and see how I can use it for my topic... #phdchat

@ai1sa - @julialeventon and 3) as a research topic #phdchat

@Lemness - @water_rat72 great point. what's your focus of study? how are you using sm in your research? #phdchat

@scottwdavis - @lizgloyn My post was confusing. I meant peer reviewers and editors participating, but not wearing those hats while doing so. #phdchat

@Lemness - @julialeventon and like @water_rat72 says - if social media is the focus of your study. #phdchat

@OwhyOwhy - @Lemness I get the feeling we are fleshing that out! Seems to me any online tools for communication - blogs/own site/twitter/FB/LI #phdchat

@literarychica - @AndreaZellner Ugh, I ALWAYS miss #PhDchat. I'm lame. At least Tweetdeck helps me catch up.

@OwhyOwhy - so everyone, what are are we discussing - SM as a tool for DOING research or a tool for personal development while researching? #phdchat

@lizgloyn - #phdchat Have not had great feedback about my research from social media, but have built good community beyond my specific field.

@ClaretCarly - @ASBO_Allstar I've found it a great place to start blogging as other users a good initial audience - got feedback on early posts #phdchat

@Lemness - @claretcarly I use my blog to work out ideas. #phdchat

@OwhyOwhy - am I missing the conversation tweeps? my system is showing no #phdchat results?!!?!

@LBA_OX12 - Which is better FB or LI, or R there any others? #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @water_rat72 I focused on people working at international level so again lists but also already participating in forums #phdchat

@Janshs - Just wondering #PhDChat if any1 has had difficulties persuading uni/super re validity of data achieved online?

@OwhyOwhy - wld b cool to hear about VRE - given me a few ideas too!! just lacking tech skills @sarahthesheepu @Lemness @NSRiazat @lizgloyn #phdchat

@ClaretCarly - @Lemness Mine helps keep me writing, especially if I get stuck. #phdchat

@Lemness - @owhyowhy we're still here. #phdchat. you're right though, it did slow down a bit.

@sarahthesheepu - @OwhyOwhy I used for both but it seems mainly here for later #phdchat

@JeffreyKeefer - Blogged: Doctoral Thesis (Dissertation) Research - Approved to Begin http://t.co/OXbYDtl #phdchat #phd #HigherEd #PhdEmotion

@Lemness - @claretcarly I like when people comment and ask questions. It helps me to develop my ideas further. #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @JeffreyKeefer well done #phdchat

@lizgloyn - @Lemness @claretcarly Haven't found blog useful for working through ideas, but wonder if that will change whn I start new projects #phdchat

@Lemness - I have used social media to hear about conferences and seminars in the area. #phdchat

@Tidewater7 - @sarahthesheepu: @water_rat72 I focused on people... #phdchat. What lessons did you learn in the process? Advice? Recommendations?

@Lemness - @jeffreykeefer woohoo! congratulations. will read the blog post after #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @OwhyOwhy @Lemness @NSRiazat @lizgloyn well hopefully we will be building 1 at kcl soon but I can help u #phdchat

@OwhyOwhy - @sarahthesheepu I am new to using SM for personal dev & getting to grips with how it can be a tool in my research life. best ideas? #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @Lemness @lizgloyn - good to locate those who share similar research interests. I used to help find Grounded Theory researchers. #phdchat

@julialeventon - Any egs of great research using social media? I like @reluuplands and their interactive site: http://www.ouruplands.co.uk/ #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @Tidewater7 @water_rat72 I'd say am still learning but ill blog about that easier than a tweet #phdchat

@Lemness - @nsriazat @Lemness @lizgloyn I have also used it to actually talk to authors that have a presence on sm. That's always helpful. #phdchat

@OwhyOwhy - @sarahthesheepu had explored the idea of online survey research, but been considering future uses of qual research online too #phdchat

@Tidewater7 - @JeffreyKeefer: Doctoral Thesis (Dissertation) Research - Approved to Begin http://t.co/fQcTa5j #phdchat Congrats! Get on your mark...

@sarahthesheepu - @OwhyOwhy I think we should meet up #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @Lemness @lizgloyn @nsriazat - useful to talk to authors in field - agree. #phdchat

@OwhyOwhy - @sarahthesheepu good idea! been thinking that myself.will DM you. aside from policy & ethnicity, my passion is research methodology #phdchat

@ClaretCarly - @Lemness Yes, good to get some feedback and interaction with other researchers #phdchat

@OwhyOwhy - sorry all, don't know what's up with my system tonight.keep refreshing the #phdchat search & nothing-but can see bits of chat in yr profiles

@Lemness - @owhyowhy what client are you using? #phdchat

@ClaretCarly - @ASBO_Allstar I use it to keep writing and let others know what I'm up to (if they're interested!) #phdchat

@ai1sa - @Janshs in early days 2005, i felt my research was trivialised by association- because sms messaging was on the margins. #phdchat

@SarahStewart - Great to talk to #phdchat Bye for now

@Tidewater7 - @sarahthesheepu: @Tidewater7 I'd say am still learning #phdchat. Is your survey tool on your website where we could see your questions?

@OwhyOwhy - @Lemness any SM recommendations for conference updates & CfPs? #phdchat

@ai1sa - @Janshs over time (Unfortunately) national disasters have added credibility to sms as means of communicating to be taken seriously #phdchat

@Janshs - @ai1sa this is my concern - I have found it difficult to convince even in terms of writing papers #PhDChat

@ai1sa - validity remains a problem, because fears sms messages could b retrieved if reported in entirity, all data i use as egs is altered #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - thank u everyone for participating in tonights #phdchat very interesting for me to host thanks @NSRizat for letting me host

@Lemness - Thanks everyone for a great chat. #phdchat.

@ai1sa - @cambgirl change and the use of emergent technologies in a youth counselling crisis helpline #phdchat

@Tidewater7 - @sarahthesheepu: I'd say am still learning but ill blog about that easier than a tweet #phdchat. Was yours a qualitative study?

@ClaretCarly - @sarahthesheepu Thanks for hosting! #phdchat

@Lemness - @sarahthesheepu well done with the host moderating. #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - I would invite everyone who has participated in #phdchat to follow @networkedres my new project & to visit ht (cont) http://deck.ly/~8MShU

@OwhyOwhy - @ai1sa @Janshs curious to know how u r utilising SMS to research. #phdchat

@lizgloyn - Thanks to everyone for today's #phdchat, and to @sarahthesheepu for hosting. Now off to buy shoes for a wedding this weekend...

@sarahthesheepu - @Tidewater7 No it was mixed quantitative and qualitative #phdchat

@sarahthesheepu - @OwhyOwhy there has been stuff on using sms in field research in africa #phdchat

@ai1sa - @OwhyOwhy my use of sms is subject of research not means- had left sms as possibility 4 participant choice 4 intervws- none chose #phdchat

@OwhyOwhy - @sarahthesheepu @NSRizat thanks for another great #phdchat! if any of us ever had time (hahaha) would be an idea to storify some chat days

@Tidewater7 - @sarahthesheepu: thank u everyone for participating in tonights #phdchat very interesting... What demographic questions did you include?

@NSRiazat - Many thanks to @sarahthesheepu for guest hosting #phdchat tonight. A fantastic session once again. #phd

 

#phdchat Wednesday 22^nd June 2011 (7.30-8.30 BST) ‘Using Social Media in Research’

 

I’ve not been able to find all the tweets so I hope people can add to this ... [you might want to start using something like http://archivist.visitmix.com/ to save the #phdchat convos] thanks I had never heard of that and I don't normally do archiving of tweets 

 

I thought I would update the wiki on last nights chat. I have tried to group the themes together and add extra information from what work I have done and resources I know of and then I will create a blog post on networked researcher as well. I would ask that if people have questions they would add them on here and then I can find people to blog answers ... 

 

From @lizgloyn - @sarahthesheepu Can you explain how you used #sm in your research so we get an idea what you mean? #phdchat

 

I’ve written about it briefly here

 

I also discussed it at the Vitae London Hub event Go Digital! On May 16^th I will add link to the podcasts when they appear

 

Useful idea: academic Web 2.0: Reflection & Critical Practice prezi http://t.co/z8vAIRX by @andycoverdale #phdchat

 

Using social media applications / tools for research and researcher development is something I am particularly keen on and something which came out of necessity from not being able to do traditional fieldwork so I looked at how I could adapt traditional techniques to be delivered through online / digital mechanisms. This was back in 2005 so I was thought to be quite weird and not really taken seriously. I passionately believe, even though that's a terribly cliché phrase, in the power of social media in collecting data and in presenting ourselves as researchers, hence why I started the networked researcher project. I managed to interview and work with people I’d never have reached using traditional social science methods as I would never have been able to visit them all.

 

I asked how people were using social media, the majority seemed to use it for communicating research and creating a community of researchers rather than tools for collecting data / conducting research:  @owhyowhy @sarahthesheepu I am new to using SM for personal dev & getting to grips with how it can be a tool in my research life. best ideas? #phdchat - @eloise_z wrote about using social media for professional development for PhD2published

 

Using social media to collect data:

 

There are a variety of web based tools out there like survey monkey which enable you to integrate  digital technology into traditional social science research methods but as @lizgloyn said @sarahthesheepu Think it's also a disciplinary issues; not sure how I would collect data on Seneca via social media! #phdchat some disciplines integrate easier than others

 

@toscamedia @sarahthesheepu @lemness @nsriazat @lizgloyn McKesson has great virtual research tools, too. You may have some synergy there! – I’d like to know more about this ...

 

From @Tidewater7:

@sarahthesheepu: @Tidewater7 I'd say am still learning #phdchat”. Is your survey tool on your website where we could see your questions?

@sarahthesheepu: I'd say am still learning but I'll blog about that easier than a tweet #phdchat”. Was yours a qualitative study?

I will blog in detail about this and pull up some examples of what I did. I also have a friend who is using web-based surveys to do all her work she will write on this issue.

 

We also talked about what social media was – have lost tweets if anyone can find them can you add

 

@ohwhyohwhy to direct ppl to other forms of research participation, such as surveys, to remind, or to actually ask questions? #phdchat

Social media can do all of these things I would define it as apps like twitter, facebook, wikis, etc, anything where you use digital technology for social interaction. This includes forums, message boards etc. Sometimes I wonder if the term social media is too restrictive and the term digital research tools is better?

 

@cambgirl  - @sarahthesheepu @ai1sa Thanks, I'll check them both. Have you come across a study that uses actor network/social network analysis for tweets?

Yes I will find it ...

 

Using SMS technology

 

Using SMS technology in research @ohwhyowhy - @ai1sa @Janshs curious to know how u r utilising SMS to research. #phdchat

 

@ai1sa - OwhyOwhy my use of SMS is subject of research not means - had left SMS as possibility 4 participant choice 4 intervws- none chose #phdchat

There are some African studies that have looked at SMS technology in agricultural extension work.

 

Ethical considerations:

 

One of the issues that seemed to put people off using social media to collect data were issues surrounding ethics. This is why I built my own virtual research environment so I could control access. There are a number of references relating to the ethics of lurking on a message board. I would suggest you looked at the post I wrote for PhD2Published  

This is ever changing and nobody has quite decided on best practice guidelines yet.

 

Resources:

www.networkedresearcher.co.uk

@networkedres