Increasing numbers of social networking sites have been set up specifically to cater for researchers’ needs, many being linked to reference storage and CV facilities. Such sites may also encourage the posting and answering of research queries, often in topic groupings. There are also opportunities to follow the research activities of your colleagues, take part in discussion groups and post your own research papers and ideas, thereby publicising both yourself and your research. Some of the most noteworthy examples are listed below:
 |
ResearchGate is the professional network for scientists and researchers. Over 20 million members from all over the world use it to share, discover, and discuss research. Access over 135 million publication pages and stay up to date with what's happening in your field. |
 |
MethodSpace is a multidimensional online network for the community of researchers, from students to professors, engaged in research methods. MethodSpace users have free access to selected journal articles, book chapters, etc which highlight emerging topics in the field. |
  |
Academia.edu is a networking site for academics. You can use it to find, follow and contact other scholars and academics, and follow research areas. Once you start following people or research areas you will be informed each time a new research paper is uploaded to the site. You can also use the site to share your own papers. After you have registered, put your search terms into the search box at the top of the screen. On the results page click on the green button to follow a research area |
 |
ResearchBlogging.org allows readers to easily find blog posts about serious peer-reviewed research, instead of just news reports and press releases. You don't have to be a blogger to join. You can still use the site to learn about fascinating developments in cutting-edge research from around the world. |
 |
Build your knowledge quickly from concise, well-presented content from top experts. Instead of scrolling through pages of text, you can flip hrough a SlideShare deck and absorb the same information in a fraction of the time. SlideShare is a hosting service for professional content including presentations, infographics, documents, and videos. Users can upload files privately or publicly in PowerPoint, Word, PDF, or OpenDocument format. Content can then be viewed on the site itself, on hand held devices or embedded on other sites. |
  |
Knowledge Hub can help you keep up to date with current thinking, enhance your skills and expertise as well as compare and share information and data. |
 |
How Can I Share It provides information on all aspects of scholarly sharing. The site includes practical information and tools to ensure articles can be shared with your colleagues quickly and easily. How Can I share It also includes information on how you can share, where you can share and recommendations for sharing sites where you can engage and collaborate with the research community. |
 |
Though LinkedIn is often associated with networking in the commercial sector many academics have an active presence. Many academics post papers and presentations for other users to view. |
 |
Social Science Research Network (SSRN) The SSRN is a collaborative database of research papers set up to encourage the early distribution of research results. Once you have signed up for an account you can see table of contents alerts for papers in different subject areas. Not all content is free and if you have signed up for a free account some papers will be greyed out. |
 |
You may already use Mendeley to organize your references, but it includes a number of additional helpful features. If you create a research profile, you can discover and join subject oriented groups. Mendeley will also send you personalised suggestions of articles to read and people to follow. |
