Separating and Merging Professional and Personal Selves Online: The Structure and Processes That Shape Academics' Ego‐Networks on Academic Social Networking Sites and Twitter

Abstract

Academic social networking sites seek to bring the benefits of online networking to an academic audience. The ability to make connections to others is a defining characteristic of the sites, but what types of networks are formed, and what are the implications of the structures? This study addressed that question through mixed methods social network analysis, focusing on Academia.edu, ResearchGate, and Twitter, as three of the main sites used by academics in their professional lives. The structure of academics' ego‐networks on social networking sites differs by platform. Networks on academic sites were smaller and more highly clustered, whereas Twitter networks were larger and more diffuse. Institutions and research interests define communities on academic sites, compared with research topics and personal interests on Twitter. The network structures reflect differences in how academics conceptualize different sites and have implications in relation to fostering social capital and research impact.