Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking
Since the advent of online social networking sites, much has been written about their potential for transforming academia, as communication and collaboration underpin many scholarly activities. However, the extent to which these benefits are being realised in practice is unclear. As the uptake of to...
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doaj-5973d65630fc49409ce6f517f6e100702020-11-24T23:24:46ZengAssociation for Learning Technology Research in Learning Technology2156-70772018-04-0126011310.25304/rlt.v26.20132013Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networkingKaty Jordan0Martin Weller1Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UKInstitute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UKSince the advent of online social networking sites, much has been written about their potential for transforming academia, as communication and collaboration underpin many scholarly activities. However, the extent to which these benefits are being realised in practice is unclear. As the uptake of tools by academics continues to grow, there is a question as to whether differences exist in their use and if any patterns or underlying factors are at play. This article presents the results of an online survey addressing this gap. A disciplinary divide was evident in terms of preferred academic social networking platforms, while perceptions about how academics use online networking for different purposes are linked to job position. Exploratory factor analysis identified four components representing different strategies used by academics in their approaches to online networking, including maintaining a personal learning network, promoting the professional self, seeking and promoting publications, and advancing careers.https://journal.alt.ac.uk/index.php/rlt/article/view/2013/pdf_1social mediaacademic networkingsocial networking sitesdigital scholarship |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Katy Jordan Martin Weller |
spellingShingle |
Katy Jordan Martin Weller Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking Research in Learning Technology social media academic networking social networking sites digital scholarship |
author_facet |
Katy Jordan Martin Weller |
author_sort |
Katy Jordan |
title |
Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking |
title_short |
Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking |
title_full |
Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking |
title_fullStr |
Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking |
title_full_unstemmed |
Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking |
title_sort |
communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking |
publisher |
Association for Learning Technology |
series |
Research in Learning Technology |
issn |
2156-7077 |
publishDate |
2018-04-01 |
description |
Since the advent of online social networking sites, much has been written about their potential for transforming academia, as communication and collaboration underpin many scholarly activities. However, the extent to which these benefits are being realised in practice is unclear. As the uptake of tools by academics continues to grow, there is a question as to whether differences exist in their use and if any patterns or underlying factors are at play. This article presents the results of an online survey addressing this gap. A disciplinary divide was evident in terms of preferred academic social networking platforms, while perceptions about how academics use online networking for different purposes are linked to job position. Exploratory factor analysis identified four components representing different strategies used by academics in their approaches to online networking, including maintaining a personal learning network, promoting the professional self, seeking and promoting publications, and advancing careers. |
topic |
social media academic networking social networking sites digital scholarship |
url |
https://journal.alt.ac.uk/index.php/rlt/article/view/2013/pdf_1 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT katyjordan communicationcollaborationandidentityfactoranalysisofacademicsperceptionsofonlinenetworking AT martinweller communicationcollaborationandidentityfactoranalysisofacademicsperceptionsofonlinenetworking |
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