Spanish academics and social networking sites: Use, non-use, and the perceived advantages and drawbacks of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ResearchGate, and Academia.edu

Authors

  • Francisco Segado-Boj Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, UNIR
  • Jesús Díaz-Campo Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, UNIR
  • Erika Fernández-Gómez Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, UNIR
  • María-Ángeles Chaparro-Domínguez

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v24i5.7296

Keywords:

Facebook, Twitter, Academia.edu, ResearchGate, LinkedIn, Scholarly Communication, Teaching, Research, collaboration

Abstract

This study examines Spanish academics’ motives for using social networking sites (SNS) and their perceptions regarding the limitations of and drawbacks to social media. We analyse 18 in-depth interviews conducted with Spanish university professors chosen according to their disciplines, academic ranks and level of use. Our findings confirm prior research based on the uses and gratifications theory. Thus, we conclude that SNS are used for managing content, identifying experts in a researcher’s field of knowledge. In addition, academics need to manage different personal identities in each SNS they use.

Author Biographies

Francisco Segado-Boj, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, UNIR

Law, Social Sciences & Humanities Faculty

Professor

Jesús Díaz-Campo, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, UNIR

Law, Social Sciences & Humanities Faculty

Professor

Erika Fernández-Gómez, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, UNIR

Law, Social Sciences & Humanities Faculty

Associate Professor

María-Ángeles Chaparro-Domínguez

Assistant Professor at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Faculty of Information Sciences).

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Published

2019-04-30

How to Cite

Segado-Boj, F., Díaz-Campo, J., Fernández-Gómez, E., & Chaparro-Domínguez, M.- Ángeles. (2019). Spanish academics and social networking sites: Use, non-use, and the perceived advantages and drawbacks of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ResearchGate, and Academia.edu. First Monday, 24(5). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v24i5.7296

Issue

Section

Articles