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On the integration of the Internet into informal science communication

Author

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  • Barjak, Franz

Abstract

The present analysis looks at how scientists use the Internet for informal scientific communication. It investigates the relationship between several explanatory variables and Internet use for social communication, information retrieval and information dissemination in a cross-section of scientists from seven European countries and five academic disciplines (astronomy, chemistry, computer science, economics, and psychology). The analysis confirmed some of the results of previous US-based analyses. In particular, it corroborated a positive relationship between scientific productivity and Internet use. Furthermore, the relationship was found to be non-linear, with very productive (non-productive) scientists using the Internet less (more) than would be expected according to their productivity. Also, being involved in collaborative R&D and having large networks of collaborators is associated with increased Internet use, again with a non-linear relationship for the latter variable. In contrast to older studies, the analysis did not find an equalizing effect of higher Internet use rates for potentially disadvantaged researchers. Obviously, everybody who wants to stay at the forefront of research and keep up-to-date with developments in their research fields has to use the Internet. This also applies to renowned academics who are very well integrated into invisible colleges, and to social scientists – in our analysis economists and psychologists – who do not have lower usage rates than their peers from the natural sciences when it comes to the most common tools such as e-mail and the World Wide Web.

Suggested Citation

  • Barjak, Franz, 2004. "On the integration of the Internet into informal science communication," MPRA Paper 2268, University Library of Munich, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:2268
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    Cited by:

    1. Mike Thelwall & Franz Barjak & Hildrun Kretschmer, 2006. "Web links and gender in science: An exploratory analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 67(3), pages 373-383, June.
    2. Heimeriks, Gaston & van den Besselaar, Peter & Frenken, Koen, 2008. "Digital disciplinary differences: An analysis of computer-mediated science and 'Mode 2' knowledge production," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 1602-1615, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Science communication; Internet;

    JEL classification:

    • O39 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Other

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