Analysis and news


“Few scientists have attempted to evaluate either the impacts of blogs, or the benefits to bloggers”


submission guidelines in order to ensure that posts are consistent with expected quality standards. Organisational blogs frequently operate more like a magazine, with an editorial protocol for contributors to follow. Here are some examples of researcher-to-researcher and researcher- to-public academic blogs.


Implications for impact Researcher-to-researcher blogs can contribute to academic impact. When researchers wait until their studies are completed to write about them, others miss the chance to learn from their experiences (or mistakes.) By exchanging research tips and


experiences through blog posts, and related social media conversations, those engaged in planning, conducting, or writing about studies can find the help they need. Researchers can share opportunities, such as openings for positions or fellowships, calls for papers or chapters, in ways that open them up for more diverse responses. These blogs benefit the field,


Table 2


study, introduction to the researcher(s), and discussion of expectations for participation. Researcher-to-public blogs are intended for the purpose of sharing results, and practical resources with professionals or practitioners in the field, or to the interested individuals. Academic blogs can be created and managed by individuals or groups. Building on Patrick Dunleavy’s (2014) differentiations, we see solo, collaborative, and organisational academic blogs. Academic blogs run by individuals can


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include posts on a clearly defined topic area, or on a wide range of topics that include both personal and professional observations. Posts might vary in length and


approach, with some more formal pieces and some more conversational writing. Collaborative blogs are generally organised around a shared disciplinary focus or research interest, with a more professional approach. Collaborative and organisational blogs that invite guest contributors, typically provide some


opportunities to find collaborative partners, and offer the potential for improved research quality. Researcher- to-participant blogs’ academic impact includes more transparent and ethical relationships with participants. Data quality might be improved because participants are more comfortable with their roles and are motivated to persist through multiple stages. Researcher- to-public blogs can help with social or economic impact by translating research insights into practical, usable, resources. To achieve the most useful research impact, bloggers need to carefully consider the audiences they intend to reach and present the material accordingly. While the term blog was coined in 1997 and their use by academics is growing, few scientists have attempted to evaluate either the impacts of blogs or the benefits to bloggers (Saunders et al., 2017). Clearly, we need to better understand the potential for this form of online publishing (and we’ll undoubtedly want to blog about our research!)


December 2018/January 2019 Research Information 23


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