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Methodspace

Methodspace is a public social network dedicated to the discussion of research methods online, managed by SAGE – the world’s leading publisher in research methods

Institution(s):: SAGE

Region(s):: International

Date first submitted:: 17 Jun 2009

Date last modified:: 14 Dec 2009

Focus:

Researcher-led activities
To bring together researchers from across the academic spectrum looking for support and advice on any aspect of methodology. Audience: researchers, post-graduate students and lecturers engaged in research activities.

Audience:

Postgraduate researchers
Doctoral researchers
Research staff
Research masters

Range:

Not applicable

Rationale, aims and outcomes

What is the rationale for doing this?

How does it fit with institutional strategy?

What are the main features of the provision?

What are the aims and expected outcomes?

SAGE is recognised worldwide as the leading publisher in research methods, supporting researchers for more than forty years with a collection of more than 1200 books, journals and reference works. Methodspace provides further support online, allowing researchers and students to connect in a like-minded environment and share ideas and innovations.

To bring together researchers from across the academic spectrum looking for support and advice on any aspect of methodology.

To provide a focal point for all authors, researchers, lecturers and postgraduate students engaged in research methodology online.
To provide a multi-disciplinary platform where quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods researchers can unite and share ideas.

Engagement

Are there any pre-requisites for engagement, e.g. levels of skill, years of experience, essential pre-activities?

How many participate in each 'activity'?

Methodspace aims to support anyone engaged in research, from final-year undergraduates undertaking their first research project, through to full time academic and professional researchers.

Evaluation: benefits, challenges and next steps

How do you monitor effectiveness?

Who do you seek feedback from?

Do you have benchmarks?

Methodspace brings together researchers from across the academic spectrum looking for support and advice on any aspect of methodology.

Registered users can participate in discussions about methodology issues and controversies; find out about relevant conferences and events; and discover and review new resources in methods, including free book chapters and journal articles.

Using a social network platform allows users to engage directly with SAGE, meaning that we can respond more effectively to the needs of researchers.

Because the content of Methodspace is user generated, these benefits can be measures by both user output and direct feedback.

Methodspace exists for the benefit of the Research Community as opposed to being a vehicle for SAGE’s marketing. However, the fact that it is managed by SAGE makes neutrality one of the biggest challenges. We are working to achieve this by connecting with third parties that cover all aspects of research methods, as well as looking into the possibility of linking to methods content from other publishers.

The issue of neutrality also bleeds into the monitoring of user content. The challenge lies in balancing user freedom with ensuring content is as high-quality and relevant as possible.

Given the time constraints facing researchers, relying on users to generate the content at their own will can also be challenging.

Because the editorial content of the site is driven by users, for the benefit of users, Methodspace should develop organically into an online space that best serves the needs of the researchers who use it. The aspects of the site which best serve the purposes of the users should therefore grow and develop naturally.

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Methodspace

Rationale, aims and outcomes

What is the rationale for doing this?

How does it fit with institutional strategy?

What are the main features of the provision?

What are the aims and expected outcomes?

To provide a focal point for all authors, researchers, lecturers and postgraduate students engaged in research methodology online.

Engagement

Are there any pre-requisites for engagement, e.g. levels of skill, years of experience, essential pre-activities?

How many participate in each 'activity'?

Evaluation: benefits, challenges and next steps

How do you monitor effectiveness?

Who do you seek feedback from?

Do you have benchmarks?

Comments

Owner