Abstract
BackgroundSocial networks are now essential tools for promoting research and researchers. However, there is no study investigating the link between presence or not on professional social networks and scientific publication or citation for a given researcher.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to study the link between professional presence on social networks and scientific publications/citations among anesthesia researchers.MethodsWe included all the French full professors and associate professors of anesthesia. We analyzed their presence on the social networks Twitter (professional account with ≥1 tweet over the 6 previous months) and ResearchGate. We extracted their bibliometric parameters for the 2016-2020 period via the Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate Analytics) database in the Science Citation Index-Expanded index.ResultsA total of 162 researchers were analyzed; 42 (25.9%) had an active Twitter account and 110 (67.9%) a ResearchGate account. There was no difference between associate professors and full professors regarding active presence on Twitter (8/23 [35%] vs. 34/139 [24.5%], respectively; P=.31) or ResearchGate (15/23 [65%] vs. 95/139 [68.3%], respectively; P=.81). Researchers with an active Twitter account (median [IQR]) had more scientific publications (45 [28-61] vs. 26 [12-41]; P<.001), a higher h-index (12 [8-16] vs. 8 [5-11]; P<.001), a higher number of citations per publication (12.54 [9.65-21.8] vs. 10.63 [5.67-16.10]; P=.01), and a higher number of citations (563 [321-896] vs. 263 [105-484]; P<.001). Researchers with a ResearchGate account (median [IQR]) had more scientific publications (33 [17-47] vs. 26 [9-43]; P=.03) and a higher h-index (9 [6-13] vs. 8 [3-11]; P=.03). There was no difference between researchers with a ResearchGate account and those without it concerning the number of citations per publication and overall number of citations. In multivariate analysis including sex, academic status, and presence on social networks, the presence on Twitter was associated with the number of publications (β=20.2; P<.001), the number of citations (β=494.5; P<.001), and the h-index (β=4.5; P<.001).ConclusionsAmong French anesthesia researchers, an active presence on Twitter is associated with higher scientific publication and citations.
Highlights
In a globalized world, social networks have taken a major place in the scientific field and are essential tools for promoting research and researchers [1,2,3]
ResearchGate is a social network reserved for researchers, used to promote their works and to connect with people working in the same field of research
There is no study investigating the link between presence or not on professional social networks and scientific publication or citation for a given researcher
Summary
Social networks have taken a major place in the scientific field and are essential tools for promoting research and researchers (including the recruitment or the promotion of a researcher) [1,2,3]. ResearchGate is a social network reserved for researchers, used to promote their works and to connect with people working in the same field of research It is a social network only dedicated to professional use for the international scientific community. Methods: We included all the French full professors and associate professors of anesthesia We analyzed their presence on the social networks Twitter (professional account with ≥1 tweet over the 6 previous months) and ResearchGate. We extracted their bibliometric parameters for the 2016-2020 period via the Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate Analytics) database in the Science Citation Index-Expanded index. Conclusions: Among French anesthesia researchers, an active presence on Twitter is associated with higher scientific publication and citations
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