New Research Article: “The Role of Libraries in Science 2.0: Focus on Economics”

The following article appears in the July/August 2015 issue of D-Lib Magazine that was released online today.
Title
The Role of Libraries in Science 2.0: Focus on Economics
Authors
Stephanie B. Linek
Leibniz Information Centre for Economics
Josefine Bäßler
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
Source
D-Lib Magazine
July/August 2015
Volume 21, Number 7/8
Abstract

The presented empirical study explores the role of modern libraries in Science 2.0. The main focus lies on the researchers’ needs for an optimised use of Web 2.0 for scientific work.
The participants were economists of different academic levels. We used a multi-method approach.
First, three focus group interviews were conducted gaining information about the use of Web 2.0. Second, three individual interviews investigated the behaviour of frequent Twitter users. Third, to receive quantitative data on the issue, an online survey was conducted.
The findings revealed that researchers were in principle open to the new opportunities of Web 2.0. [Our emphasis] However, so far, the Web 2.0 services of libraries were often unknown. Besides others, there were two remarkable findings: there was a wish for privacy which is reflected in the discrete use of different social networks for private versus professional purposes. Additionally, researchers express the need for academic, reliable networks but often did not know about existing ones (e.g., ResearchGate, Academia). The findings suggest that researchers are often not aware of the possibilities of Web 2.0 for their scientific work. Libraries could close this gap and provide necessary information about appropriate Web 2.0 services.

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Filed under: Academic Libraries, Data Files, Interviews, Libraries, Patrons and Users