Facebook for researchers: www.researchgate.com
October 6, 2007
A group (including myself) of scientists from Harvard and some other universities from different countries started a project, in which they try to establish a web 2.0 application for scientists. This platform would facilitate the communication between researchers and would increase the efficacy of the research work.
They (we) will go online in about 6 weeks.
However, at this moment it would be very helpful that we get some response of potential users, if there is a demand for this kind of network platform.
It would be very helpful if you have some time to fill in the survey, which you can find here: www.researchgate.com/survey .
This survey takes just about 5 minutes of your time.
Thank you very much and if you are interested in a beta account, please contact us (contact@researchgate.com) and email us some of your personal information (name, researchfield, university).
What do you think about this idea?
Ijad Madisch
I
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Comments
Biomedexperts.com
August 9, 2008 by Anonymous, 47 weeks 45 min ago
Comment id: 31455
Another networking-tool based on (your) scientific publications which are listed in their database. You can find it under:
www.biomedexperts.com
1.5 Million scientists are listed and (your) computed profiles already exist even if you are not registered....
Check it out!
ResearchCrossroads
June 15, 2008 by Anonymous, 1 year 2 weeks ago
Comment id: 30662
Have you all checked out ResearchCrossroads (http://www.researchcrossroads.com) which has accumulated tons of research grants and made public profiles of research for any researcher that's received an NIH or NSF grant?
Research Crossroads
June 7, 2008 by Anonymous, 1 year 3 weeks ago
Comment id: 30563
There are also sites like ResearchCrossroads.com already in existence that link scientists, grants, etc.
Response
October 11, 2007 by adomad, 1 year 38 weeks ago
Comment id: 25413
Hey,
thank you for your reply. Find my comments below:
>Having tried to fill out your survey, it seems the application doesn't consider >scientists outside a short list of disciplines -- nor does it consider those who >work in industry, without a university affiliation.
Which question according to "it consider those who work in industry, without a university affiliation" would you add in this survey?
Our point was in the survey that we do not want to distinguish between academic and industrial research, because both have in common the research. Which sciences/disciplines do you miss in this survey? We can add them asap.
>I happen to fall into both categories. If your app isn't applicable to those of us >in other industries or other professions, it has a reduced chance of ever reaching >a critical mass.
We are planning to build and design this platform in this way, that it is suitable to every kind of researcher.
>Your response regarding Facebook overlooks the point. Of course with Facebook, you >develop your own application and make it available to Facebook users through their >API. It's another channel/portal for your application, and likely the best hope >your application has for getting wide distribution.
This is a good point and idea. We will consider this in our future planning.
Maybe you are interested in a beta account or a more personal contact. If yes I would be happy if you write me an email to I.Madisch at researchgate.com
Thank you again.
Ijad
ResearchGATE now online
June 1, 2008 by adomad, 1 year 4 weeks ago
Comment id: 30441
Dear scientific blogger,
first of all I want to thank all of you for supporting our idea and our vision. The most important was your criticism. Based on this really good feedback we developed a platform adapted to the requirements of researchers. After a beta phase of almost 5 months ResearchGATE we decided to open the gates for the scientific public on the 23th of May.
Nevertheless, this page will continously upgraded with new features and applications.
We have something tremendous in the pipeline.
Will keep you updated.
Again: Thanks for all your help.
Ijad
P.S.: Furthermore, we will start a ResearchGATE blog next week.
Apparent limited applicability... and read up on Facebook
October 10, 2007 by Anonymous, 1 year 38 weeks ago
Comment id: 25382
Having tried to fill out your survey, it seems the application doesn't consider scientists outside a short list of disciplines -- nor does it consider those who work in industry, without a university affiliation.
I happen to fall into both categories. If your app isn't applicable to those of us in other industries or other professions, it has a reduced chance of ever reaching a critical mass.
Your response regarding Facebook overlooks the point. Of course with Facebook, you develop your own application and make it available to Facebook users through their API. It's another channel/portal for your application, and likely the best hope your application has for getting wide distribution.
Hello, thanks for your
October 10, 2007 by adomad, 1 year 38 weeks ago
Comment id: 25362
Hello,
thanks for your reply.
I can absolutely understand you criticism and your concern about this platform, because I was in the same situation as you, when I developed this idea with my colleagues. However, I realized in this process of development, which includes the time in the lab, that these existing platforms (linkedln etc.) on the one hand do not offer these specific functionalities, which I need for my research and on the other hand platforms such as facebook do not have the focus on this research community, which result in an ineffective way of communication. Therefore, we think that this new platform could be really an advancement in the world of research because of our focus on the research community. We will offer in our platform new and for researcher specific designed functionalities. In about 6 weeks, as previously written, we go online and I would appreciate if you sign in and give me a feedback, what do you think about this platform.
Ijad Madisch
already exists
October 8, 2007 by Anonymous, 1 year 38 weeks ago
Comment id: 25313
This type of thing is already in existence... check out the community of science... Also, a lot of scientists are also using LinkedIn
Facebook
October 8, 2007 by Anonymous, 1 year 38 weeks ago
Comment id: 25311
You know... Not to kill a good idea, but wouldn't a mass adoption of facebook be just as effective? Plugins can be developed for facebook (which could help you establish certain functions you may wish to have), and it almost certainly already HAS many researchers that have already adopted it.
It would be tremendously easier to use a platform already in use by many, than to make a brand new one. It just seems like you'll have an unsurmountable task of getting people to sign-up for something that is starting with zero userbase.