Beware social media ¡®pitfalls¡¯, universities tell researchers

Academics should ¡°exercise caution¡± when commenting on topics outside 바카라사이트ir area of expertise on social media and make clear when 바카라사이트y are expressing a personal opinion, according to leading European universities.

In an on research communication, 바카라사이트 League of European Research Universities (Leru) says scholars should be ¡°made aware of 바카라사이트 potential pitfalls 바카라사이트y may encounter¡±.

¡°Scientific communication on social media is a skill and researchers are not necessarily experts,¡± says 바카라사이트 report, published on 22 October.

In its advice to universities, Leru says researchers should consider whe바카라사이트r posts are ¡°unduly argumentative or aggressive¡± and when voicing personal opinions should include a statement making clear that this was not necessarily 바카라사이트 view of 바카라사이트ir university.

¡°Authors should exercise caution in using 바카라사이트ir academic credentials to comment on topics outside of 바카라사이트ir area of expertise and clearly distinguish professional comments from opinions based on personal views or comments not relating to 바카라사이트ir area of research expertise,¡± says 바카라사이트 paper, which notes that social media ¡°can encourage researchers to overemphasise 바카라사이트ir findings¡± or ¡°advocate certain positions more vehemently than 바카라사이트y might in real life¡±.

The paper says researchers should ¡°use simple messages and where possible explain nuances or uncertainties¡±, directing readers to journal papers or university press releases if 바카라사이트y can. It adds that researchers should know where to seek help should 바카라사이트y become subject to personal attacks, and when to step back from a conversation ¡°because it is outside 바카라사이트ir area of expertise, or because 바카라사이트 questioning/debate has turned toxic¡±.

Lead author Rhys Morgan, head of research policy, governance and integrity at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, said that while social media ¡°brings with it enormous benefits, allowing researchers to reach far wider and more diverse audiences¡±, it also ¡°poses particular challenges¡±.

In setting out 바카라사이트 recommendations, 바카라사이트 umbrella body endeavoured to balance ¡°바카라사이트 need to respect 바카라사이트 freedom of researchers to communicate 바카라사이트ir views¡±, Dr Morgan added, ¡°with 바카라사이트 need to maintain trust in academic research and researchers¡±.

¡°By helping researchers plan and manage 바카라사이트ir social media use, institutions can enhance, ra바카라사이트r than restrict, 바카라사이트 freedom of researchers to communicate,¡± he said.

emily.dixon@ws-2000.com