2collab Survey Reveals That Scientists and Rese...

AMSTERDAM, June 9 /PRNewswire/ --

    - Social Media Will Have Major Influence on key Aspects of Research
Within Five Years



    2collab (http://www.2collab.com), the research collaboration platform
from Elsevier, the world's leading publisher of science, technology and
medical (STM) information, announced today the results of a survey, asking
researchers about the role of social media in their professional lives. The
survey, which yielded over 1,800 responses, revealed that scientists are
using blogs, wikis, and social networking and bookmarking applications
primarily for professional reasons. Results show that these social media
applications have provided scientists and researchers with additional
resources to help them collaborate, connect, share and discover information.



    2collab surveyed science, medical and technical information professionals
working in academia and government institutions to establish exactly what
influence new web applications are having on the way scientific research is
conducted. Over 50% of respondents see web-based social applications playing
a key role in shaping the future of research. The largest influence will be
on critical analysis and evaluation of research data, professional networking
and collaboration, dissemination of research output, career development, as
well as grant application and funding.



    Results show that many researchers believe social applications will have
a major influence on the future of research. One respondent, an Environmental
Science researcher based in Spain commented, "Social media and electronic
journals will be the future of scientific information dissemination. Current
scientific journals must not disappear but the business model will change."



    Comments from survey respondents identified several issues need to be
addressed before mass acceptance by the research community is possible -
namely the need for specialist tools, higher security, and validation of
users. However, these concerns were not seen as insurmountable obstacles, and
many anticipated tremendous potential for social media. "Existing social
networks are mostly used for casual social interaction between young people.
In order to be more relevant to academia, networks with professional
credibility and accountability will need to develop," writes another
respondent, a Canada-based associate professor of Biochemistry, Genetics &
Molecular Biology.



    "While it is clear that scientists and researchers will continue to use
traditional sources for information discovery, the survey indicates that
social media applications will provide additional indicators of quality and
discovery," states Brant Emery, development manager for 2collab. "In an era
where information travels fastest digitally, online applications will offer
these professionals what one researcher stated as a "source of power."
Creating these online scientific communities gives everyone a chance to offer
their voices and participate in research, thus increasing the flow of
communication, access to knowledge and helping accelerate scientific
discovery."



    The survey report is available upon request by emailing the media
contact, Lauren Hillman.



About 2collab

    2collab is a social research application that provides a new way of
processing scholarly information from any source. 2collab provides a platform
for researchers to connect with others in their fields, making it possible to
explore, share and collaborate, increasing the chances to discover new
research opportunities and mine the collective wisdom of the its member
community. 2collab (http://www.2collab.com/) was developed in conjunction
with Elsevier's usability labs and its premier Development Partners, which
include many established research institutions.



About Elsevier

    Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and
medical information products and services. Working in partnership with the
global science and health communities, Elsevier's 7,000 employees in over 70
offices worldwide publish more than 2,000 journals and 1,900 new books per
year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, such
as ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com/), MD Consult 
(http://www.mdconsult.com/), Scopus (http://www.info.scopus.com/),
bibliographic databases, and online reference works.



    Elsevier (http://www.elsevier.com/) is a global business headquartered in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has offices worldwide. Elsevier is part of
Reed Elsevier Group plc (http://www.reedelsevier.com/), a world-leading
publisher and information provider. Operating in the science and medical,
legal, education and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier provides
high-quality and flexible information solutions to users, with increasing
emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery. Reed Elsevier's ticker
symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and
ENL (New York Stock Exchange).


    
    Media Contact:
    Lauren Hillman
    Fusion Public Relations
    T: [phone], ext. 117
    E: [e-mail]