Exploring the Features of Social Media to Promote Research Activities

Abstract

Aim/Purpose: This paper, explored features of popular social media in promoting research activities for successful integration of information services on social media platforms. Background: Leisure, in the early days, was more aligned with reading and research activities and enjoyed a long term monopoly until the advent of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The society milieu is now accentuated with arrays of technological innovations and academic activities are, therefore, relegated to remnant time resulting from application and the use of ICTs. While reading and research are required more now than ever, social media, as components of ICTs, present their distractive features. However, studies have shown that social media could be incorporated to promote and communicate academic and research activities. Methodology: The paper analytically reviewed empirical literatures on information as obtained from innovative and sustained academic activities, which is a key to research development. The paper also discussed ways academic librarians could adapt and utilize popular social media such as facebook, whatsapp, instagram, badoo, skype, imo, wechat, twitter, blogs, flikr and youtube to provide Library services, Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI), and communicate specialized literature search result, to promote purposeful networking, communication and transfer of information to support teaching and research activities. Contribution: The study reviewed the features of 21st century popular social media, and proffered ways of promoting research and academic culture through the adoption and use of social media platforms by information professionals. Findings: The paper assessed and listed the potentials of the features of social media as a communication tool in academic and research processes, making it possible for librarians to incorporate the features of these communication tools in the discharge of library services in areas such as reference services, professional collaboration, virtual help desk, consortium/resource sharing, selective communication and information, dissemination of knowledge, and information bank. Recommendations for Practitioners: The paper assessed and listed the potentials of the features of social media as a communication tool in academic and research processes, making it possible for librarians to incorporate the features of these communication tools in the discharge of library services in areas such as reference services, professional collaboration, virtual help desk, consortium/resource sharing, selective communication and information, dissemination of knowledge, and information bank. Recommendation for Researchers: With the exponential growth and use of social media as primary mode of communication, this paper elucidated how librarians could utilize such phenomenon to promote academic culture. Researchers are encouraged to capitalize on this opportunity for effective and timely research communication aimed at bridging the research communication gap between developed and developing nation and ultimately, for solving societal developmental problems. Impact on Society: The paper explored the features of popular social media that have the potentials that could be harnessed by librarians to create a 21st century technology enhanced learning arena aimed at bridging the research communication gap between developed and developing nations for societal growth. Future Research: The paper has added to the body of literature to serve as a pivot for researchers with focus on social media and concepts such as learning, research, academic achievement, library services and information profession.